Dupage Policy Journal

Congressional hopeful Jeanne Ives dined at Ki’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant this past weekend in defiance of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s orders for restaurants to shut down their dining services following the increase in new COVID cases.

“I am here at Ki’s,” Ives said Sunday in a Facebook Live video. “I appreciate the owners here [who] have said we actually care about the safety of our customers and our employees and our operations and our reputation, and we are going to continue to open and serve people in a safe manner.” 

Ives is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) for the 6th congressional district. 

Casten has been silent on the effects Covid shutdowns have had on small business owners. 

Ryan Steel, an advocate for restaurants, dined with Ives. 

“These businesses support so many people,” Steele said. “Obviously they are food suppliers, the table cloths - there is a company that comes in and washes that. The silverware, the dishwashers, everybody. It is a downstream thing.” 

The two sat down at Ki’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Glendale Heights. 

Ki’s was one of the first restaurants to say they were not closing despite Pritzker’s orders. In a domino effect they have now been joined by hundreds across the region. 

Ives, a veteran and mother of five, is a former state senator and narrowly lost a primary challenge to former Gov. Bruce Rauner who preceded Pritzker. 

Pritzker is one of the least popular governors in the country. 

His recent actions regarding the closure of restaurant dining rooms has resulted in a groundswell of defiance within the restaurant community to stay open despite the governor’s orders. 

At least 3,800 small businesses across Illinois have been forced to shut down permanently following Pritzker’s order to limit business operations. Illinois is one of the top five states with the most permanent business closures due to Covid regulations.

According to Illinois Policy, Pritzker’s latest order could have an even greater impact on restaurants, forcing an estimated 5,000 to 21,700 food service businesses out of business permanently.

Ives reminded voters of her plans to continue to support local businesses and the importance of making each vote count on election day.

“Everything is on the ballot,” she said. “It’s about your freedom. What we are going to do to reopen the economy. It is all on the ballot. So it is really important you make a concerted effort to understand what is going on with this election.”

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