A southwest IL restaurant that broke COVID rules got state money. Now it could lose it.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The original article incorrectly stated Uncle Linny’s Restaurant at 4112 E. Pontoon Road in Pontoon Beach received an Illinois Business Interruption Grant. Uncle Linny’s Food and Brews at 3901 Pontoon Road in Pontoon Beach received the grant. The businesses share the same website and operate under different corporations, each listing an officer with the same name, according to Illinois Secretary of State records.
At least one metro-east business that defied coronavirus restrictions was awarded thousands of dollars in state grants meant to help establishments survive a ban on indoor service.
Fast Eddie’s Bon Air in Alton was awarded a $10,000 grant.
Though the grant requires applicants to agree that they have “complied with all relevant laws, regulations and executive orders” from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office, Fast Eddie’s Bon Air had been cited by Illinois State Police for violating restrictions.
The state could revoke grants if businesses do not comply, Pritzker said at a news briefing in Chicago.
“The state has the ability to do that if they’re not fulfilling their obligation under the grant agreement,” Pritzker said. “ ... We want people to follow the rules.”
An owner of the restaurant reached by phone declined twice to comment on the state grant awarded to his business.
Illinois State Police cited Fast Eddie’s, the popular bar and grill in the riverside town of Alton, earlier this month for violating coronavirus restrictions. On Thursday afternoon, it was only offering outdoor service.
Noncomplying businesses, not individuals, can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $75 to $2,500. State police did not specify what COVID-19 restrictions Fast Eddie’s had violated. The agency considers a misdemeanor to be a last resort after educating business owners and issuing warnings, Director Brendan Kelly said Wednesday.
An owner of Fast Eddie’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
The metro-east entered its second round of additional restrictions on Wednesday. Bars and restaurants are not allowed to offer indoor service and specific rules are still in place for outdoor dining. There is also a 25-person limit on gatherings.
Owners say the restrictions are a death sentence for their businesses as the weather turns cold, and some have decided to offer indoor dining in defiance of Pritzker’s order. A server from the restaurant told the Belleville News-Democrat earlier this month that the ban on indoor dining threatens the livelihoods of owners and employees.
In the second round announced Thursday, $38 million went to roughly 1,200 businesses statewide with a focus on regions heavily impacted by restrictions. Restaurants, bars and other businesses affected by COVID-19 restrictions can use the money to help with payroll, rent, utilities and other costs.
A total of $220 million is available in the second round of grants. The governor’s office has encouraged business owners to apply, which can be done online at www2.illinois.gov/dceo.
Republican lawmakers have pushed back against the latest restrictions, which had gone into effect in six of the state’s 11 state-defined regions for tracking a resurgence of the virus. Two more regions were expected to join by the end of the week.
State public health officials and Pritzker’s office points to contact tracing data to show that bars and restaurants are a primary source for community spread, but GOP legislators question the accuracy of that data.
COVID-19 wave worsens in Illinois
Illinois Department of Public Health officials reported 6,363 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, including 56 deaths, for a total of 395,458 cases and 9,675 deaths since the pandemic began. In the metro-east, the seven-day rolling average positivity rate rose from 8.3% on Tuesday to 8.5% on Wednesday.
Since the beginning of October, hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients have increased 73%, the number of patients in intensive care units increased by 61% and deaths are up 82%, Pritkzer said.
The increases come as hospitals in St. Louis fill up with a second wave of coronavirus patients. St. Louis’ health care network is an essential resource for residents in surrounding regions.
Here’s a full list of southern Illinois businesses that were awarded money through the second round of grants.
This story was originally published October 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
