'Lifesaver' For Elmhurst Restaurants Approved

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst aldermen approved a permanent loosening of its rules for outdoor dining, which one restaurateur called a "lifesaver."

On Monday, the City Council unanimously supported the changes that have occurred during the pandemic.

One of the provisions is to allow restaurants to use on-street parking for outdoor dining. Eateries also can expand their footprint in front of nearby businesses with the written permission of their neighbors.

During public comments, Elmhurst resident Kristi Blessing backed the changes. She and her husband own two downtown establishments – Pints sports bar and 151 Kitchen & Bar.

"The outdoor dining has been a lifesaver for us since the pandemic," Blessing said. "We've all been dealing with all the challenges of the pandemic. Believe it or not, we're still dealing with challenges from the pandemic."

She also said the expansion of outdoor dining has benefitted the town.

"I think it creates a great vibe downtown," Blessing said. "The streets were full. That was great for everyone, not just the restaurants. Walking around downtown brought awareness to the other retail shops."

During the council discussion, Alderwoman Dannee Polomsky proposed a fee of $500 for each on-street parking space that restaurants use for outdoor dining.

She said the fee would cover at least some of the city's costs for erecting barriers and power washing.

Alderman Mark Mulliner opposed the fee. He said it would not apply to all 19 restaurants with outdoor dining, just those that use city parking spaces.

If the city imposed such a fee, he said, all restaurants with outdoor dining should contribute to the cleaning costs. He said he thought $200 would be a more reasonable fee.

All but Mulliner supported the $500 fee. Alderwoman Noel Talluto was absent.

Alderman Mike Brennan said he saw the fee as paying for the use of city property.

"We don't want a dirty downtown," Brennan said. "Whatever the cleaning the city does today, I think, is appropriate."