State Rep. Jeff Keicher begged Washington for help on behalf of Illinois' small restaurants who are hurting disproportionately from COVID-19. | Unsplash
State Rep. Jeff Keicher begged Washington for help on behalf of Illinois' small restaurants who are hurting disproportionately from COVID-19. | Unsplash
As Gov. J.B. Pritzker orders another lockdown on certain regions of the state, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) urges for the Illinois congressional delegation in Washington to assist the restaurant industry with another relief package.
In a letter to delegation members, Keicher called for tailored aid to a special sector of Illinois business.
“I am urging our federal representatives to take action on an immediate COVID-19 relief package with specific provisions for these businesses,” said Keicher in his letter.
“Unlike those of us in the General Assembly, you, our federal representatives in Congress are not constrained by the Governor of Illinois,” wrote Keicher. “You have the ability to provide relief from the federal level.”
Keicher criticized the partisan gridlock which is preempting active help to citizens’ businesses. He highlighted the critical state of “mom and pop” restaurants in Illinois and foretold a “long-lived hollowing” if nothing is done.
“Local restaurants and taverns support tens of thousands of employees dependent on tip income; and many employers have leveraged life savings in an effort to preserve their dream of restaurant ownership,” said Keicher in his letter.
“This week it was reported that 5,000 establishments have closed, and 120,000 fellow Illinoisans are out of work in the industry. The Illinois Restaurant Association estimates that 40% of restaurants will permanently close; and those will generally be the small and family-owned ones and not the corporate chains,” said Keicher.
With winter coming, Keicher pointed out that indoor dining restrictions damage chain restaurants less, while small restaurants get hit hard.
“Uniquely our small restaurants and banquet centers are being mitigated out of existence,” he wrote in his letter, “Action is needed soon if there is any hope for them to survive.”
The legislator voiced concerns that the “people’s elected representatives” are being left out the decision-making process concerning pandemic management.
Stopping the spread of the coronavirus and keeping communities safe is a top priority, stated Keicher.
“Combating the pandemic and protecting our economy to the fullest extent possible should not be mutually exclusive goals,” added Keicher.
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