As part of the Illinois Phase 3 reopening plan, City of Rochelle officials approved suspension of specific municipal codes to support reopening of local restaurants and bars.
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ROCHELLE — As part of the Illinois Phase 3 reopening plan, City of Rochelle officials approved suspension of specific municipal codes to support reopening of local restaurants and bars.
The city has come up with a plan for businesses to use outdoor public spaces and the extension of liquor licenses under the limited capacity and social distancing guidelines of Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan.
An outline of plans has been made by city officials who intend to meet with local business owners to discuss what will work for them, specifically.
“We are going to meet with local restaurant and bar owners to find out what will work best for them,” city manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said. “These are just guidelines.”
Opportunities
Beginning immediately, the following opportunities and regulations will allow for local bars and restaurants to reopen:
Use of right-of-way and city streets for public pedestrian use from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a maximum use of 60 minutes.
Use of parking lots for outdoor seating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a maximum of use 60 minutes.
Within the areas designated only, the city has provisionally waived prohibitions on the public consumption or possession of alcohol. This prohibition waiver is for the consumption of packaged alcoholic beverages purchased from adjacent licensed bars/restaurants only. After hours public consumption will be enforced along with public consumption outside of the designated areas.
Local and state laws and all guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health surrounding public gatherings and alcohol consumption will remain in full effect and enforcement by the Rochelle Police Department. This applies to public intoxication, disturbances, fights, noise complaints and other statutory laws.
“We are still waiting for final guidelines – we are currently under the assumption that we are following the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity guidelines,” Fiegenschuh said during Tuesday night’s council meeting. “We want this to be fluid, we have a meeting with business owners on Wednesday to find out what their needs are.”
