Buffalo Grove easing restrictions on dining, golf courses
Buffalo Grove officials moved Monday to ease some of the village's pandemic-related restrictions, including lifting a ban on entering food-service establishments and clearing the way for outdoor dining at local restaurants.
The moves are in line with the statewide easing of restrictions as of May 29, as Illinois moved into Phase 3 of its reopening plan.
Under the extension of an executive order initially issued on March 17, Village Manager Dane Bragg has the authority to reopen village facilities as needed.
Bragg said that started on Monday, when the village initiated walk-in hours at village hall for seniors and at-risk populations weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Others may make appointments to visit village hall Monday through Friday by calling (847) 459-2500.
The updated executive order also establishes a process for restaurants to obtain free permits for outdoor dining and the consumption of alcohol on premises. It involves a minor review process, with police checking the security of the dining area to permit alcohol, Bragg said.
Bragg said some restaurants already have opened outdoor dining areas while working to finalize a permit.
"Our number one priority was to get them up and running and the ability to serve customers, so we wanted to ensure that we were as friendly in that process as possible," he said.
Previous restrictions on patrons entering food service establishments also have been lifted.
"The reasoning for that is that under the governor's new order, now, nonessential retailers - hair and nail salons, barbershops, etc. - can have patrons inside the establishment, and we felt that it was unfair to restaurants to prohibit patrons from being able to enter their establishment," Bragg said.
The village's two golf courses - Buffalo Grove Golf Club and The Arboretum Club - are now allowing up to foursomes and 10-minute spacing between tee times, but only one person per golf cart unless two people are from the same household. Driving ranges can reopen, and beverage carts are permitted on the course.