DeKalb Times

With a new survey finding that 56% of Illinois bars and restaurants were unable to make full rent payments in December, Dixon Mayor Liandro Arellano is sounding the alarm.

“In Dixon, we need to be prepared as a community to support our local affected families and businesses in a big way this coming year,” Arellano said. “That might mean tweaking our spending habits, helping share/promote specials and events or even simply offering encouragement. This is about understanding that livelihoods and futures are crumbling. We must rally.”

Conducted by small business referral network Alignable, a study showed the number of Illinois businesses unable to pay rent has doubled since September while jumping by 19 points across the country.  

Meanwhile, Arellano said his office is also hard at work studying and planning for how the city can best put itself back on a fast track for growth.

“That may mean special summer festivals/events, it may mean targeted financial support campaigns or it may mean special city-sponsored marketing,” he said. We’re looking at ideas and getting ready for this new year. This isn’t about profits over people, this is about understanding that livelihoods and futures are crumbling.”

As the pandemic has lingered, Arellano has proved to be a vocal and constant critic of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s handling of the crisis, including his growing habit of governing by executive order while not so much as convening a legislative session to give lawmakers a chance to have input. 

“While I think his initial response of erring on the side of caution while we were still trying to figure out the virus had merit, it’s reached the point where legislators should have passed a bill for electronic attendance instead of just allowing the governor to use executive orders,” Arellano told the DeKalb Times. “Right now, I think we need more of a regional approach, where we understand what’s happening in Chicago is more of a state and even international representation.”