It’s indeed been a rough year for Chicago restaurants.
A pandemic. Social unrest, causing much damage to establishments across the city. Long-term shuttering of venues, causing many to permanently close. And now these violent carjackings happening in every corner of Chicagoland.
The latest issue will certainly affect restaurateurs as many rely on delivery and takeout to stay open, yet delivery drivers are now at risk as two were carjacked in one night. Also, with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, many diners may opt to stay home instead of risking a chance of being victimized. Chicago restaurants are at 25 percent capacity inside, so this could potentially be a real issue.
The Illinois Restaurant Association has been great in gathering its members to fight for restaurants’ survival during the pandemic. We’re still in the middle of the pandemic, and the sudden increase of these carjackings is related. Chicago’s mayor has been strangely quiet on the issue, when she should be front and center putting an end to this mess.
Because their collective voice is loud enough — and these violent crimes are directly affecting their businesses — I believe restaurateurs should demand the city be an aggressive force to end these carjackings. It’s only going to get worse as the weather warms up.
Yes. And Yes. In 2005 Jimmy Bannos, myself (representing Fox & Obel) and all of the leading restaurants banded together for Recipe For Relief to raise money for Hurricane Katrina. In this instance maybe there is something that could be done such as supporting having tandem drivers or volunteer escorts on deliveries. I don’t know the answer A., but something has to be done. If you need any kind of graphics designed I’ll help. Thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention.