Oak Lawn Trustees To Fast-Track Reopening of Bars, Restaurants

OAK LAWN, IL — The Oak Lawn Village Board is unified in its stance to get the village’s bars and restaurants up and running when the state enters phase 3 of its plans to reopen Illinois, Mayor Sandra Bury said. As long as bars and restaurants can secure outdoor dining and maintain social distancing, such establishments will be able to legally reopen on May 29.

Permits allowing dine-in establishments to add outdoor seating and a temporary change to local liquor licenses that would allow bars and restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages outside will also be fast-tracked, trustees said during their regular board meeting on Tuesday. The temporary caveat will stay in effect until “normal life returns,” the mayor said.

“We want to do everything we can to get businesses back open,” Bury added. “It’s up to the bars and restaurants to submit a proposal. Every business is unique.”

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The village board will hold a special meeting later this week to approve an ordinance for the reopening of the village. Bars, restaurants, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors and other non-essential businesses have been closed since March 15 when coronavirus first appeared in Illinois.

“It could be a drawing of where they want to put seating pending their landlord’s approval,” the mayor said.

If adding outdoor seating, bars and restaurants need to submit drawings and any plans to electrify areas, whether these establishments are adding a few tables and chairs in a parking lot or a tent.

“Restaurants and bars shouldn’t look to the village board to decide what they should do, but to work it out for themselves,” Bury said. “We’ll try to facilitate permits and requests as quickly as possible.”

Businesses considering a tent need to make sure that it is ventilated with air circulation, per the Illinois Department of Commerce. If adding seating behind an establishment into an alley, the bar or restaurant needs to work out it out with their business neighbors.

Outdoor space may be connected to or located on the site of a restaurant, grocery store, health or fitness center, hotel, golf club or other social club (e.g., lodge, VFW or American Legion post) with a food establishment license. Indoor space where 50-percent of more of a wall can be removed by opening windows, doors, or panels, provided that dining tables are located 8-feet from the opening.

Also, expect restrictions on hours of operation if a bar or restaurant is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. Establishments may also provide valet parking if setting out tables and chairs in parking lots.

“It’s up to the business’s landlord and neighbors,” Bury said. “I don’t expect problems unless it’s an obvious safety concern.”

Bars and restaurants should submit their plan to add outdoor seating as soon as possible to Don McKenna, the village’s planning and zoning administrator, at dmckenna@oaklawn-il.gov.

Here are a few of the state’s requirements for outdoor seating at bars and restaurants:

• Parties should be fewer than six people for outdoor dining or drinking;
• Tables should be spaced 6 feet apart;
• Close waiting areas and other places where people can congregate;
• Self-service areas, such as buffets, salad bars and drink dispensaries will remain closed until further notice;
• Provide disposable silverware of silverware placed in sleeves;
• Use disposable or touchless menus, or menus that can be sanitized after each use;
• Live music is permitted, but performers and patrons should practice social distancing;

Read the state’s requirements in their entirety.