Why the double standard for bars and restaurants at Chicago airports? (Hint: ka-ching.) – Wirepoints Quicktake

I should trust you readers more.

I got the email below from a reader on Tuesday but didn’t write about it then because I had no further confirmation. Turns out it’s true, based on further accounts and a new Block Club article. Here’s the email:

I just took a trip that landed at Chicago Midway’s airport.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked down Terminal B and noticed there were two full bars, with 70 people sitting at them, drinking and eating, inside, no masks, right in the aisle way everyone has to walk down.

Chicago is closed to indoor dining and indoor bars, apparently unless it’s on city-owned property that needs the rent, Midway has bars all over the place that have no seating restrictions, no social distancing and are operating indoors.

Contrast this to the poor businesses going under all across the city, with outdoor service or takeout service only.

This is a travesty, if they are serious about bars being a center of Coronavirus, why are they leaving bars open in one of the busiest places in all of the city?   

And how can citywide rules only apply to businesses that aren’t feeding money to the city?  How in the world can the city justify killing businesses, just not their own businesses?

Anyway, I hope you cover this, it is so very unfair.

Now, why would the City of Chicago, which controls this, allow that?

Money, no doubt. As part of the franchise for food and beverages at Midway and O’Hare providers pay to the city what I’m told comes to about 38% of their gross revenue (though I have not confirmed that exact number).

And politics. The franchise process for the airports is notoriously political.

It’s just more of the same: Hammer the private sector but let municipal revenue sources like marijuana shops and liquor stores carry on, while public employees get full pay and pension accruals.

The Block Club story focuses on medical people saying that open bars and restaurants at airports are dangerous. Come on. The patrons all are going on aircraft with far more confined space.

-Mark Glennon

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Frank Frangello
3 years ago

Ask the Gov restaurant pay sales tax on the 25 of each month from the month before

rick
3 years ago

Its gone so far that the law can’t change anything, neither can the public via their vote, judges and the whole gov sector here has a lock on the way things are. Change will only come when enough people / companies leave and stop spending money here. One can always add a few days to a trip by driving to an out of state airport to visit local sites and add a couple hour drive home rather than put up with a Chicago airport.

Groucho
3 years ago

Is this happening at O’Hare Airport, too?

George P. Burdell
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

I travel weekly for work in and out of ORD – 40+ flights since the pandemic. While a lot of food/beverage vendors are closed at ORD, there is still a significant amount of places open and indeed people are eating and drinking just like normal. It’s fascinating. But, what’s even more fascinating to me is that I can sit on a flight that is hours long – packed like normal on a plane (although I do enough getting upgraded quite a bit) and eat and drink in a plane that is way over any “capacity limit” set for everyone else.… Read more »

Dr Nemo
3 years ago

If lockdowns are understood as political theater (rather than a policy that is actually informed by science deployed in the public interest , which it clearly is not) then the phenomena of selective shutdowns of private social and religious life and non participation in social restrictions by politicians themselves become understandable. They know it’s BS. When the Imperial College prediction of 2million dead of Americans of Covid by July 4 came out in the spring, the pols didn’t want to appear to have done nothing about it if something like it actually came true, so they copied the Chinese who… Read more »

Joey Zamboni
3 years ago

When the *elitist* begin to truly take this virus seriously…

And not by just pontificating publicly…

But really obeying their own edicts…

I might too…

Maybe…

Governor of Alderaan
3 years ago
Reply to  Joey Zamboni

Get used to it, because the COVID “crisis” is a preview of how the fascist left will fight the “climate crisis”

Thee Jabroni
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

Mark,thats because the lazy ass legislature wont do their job which is……LEGISLATE!-so governor fat body can issue an endless number of ” executive ” orders with zero pushback,we have our spineless jellyfish republicans to thank for a lot of this mess!

Heyjude
3 years ago

Yes! Note the use of the same basis to claim a need for drastic measures- computer projections purporting to show immanent disaster. And all the while claiming to be “following the science”.

Illinois Entrepreneur
3 years ago

I find myself more and more just saying–to myself or others close to me–“I hate this place.” I literally hate the City of Chicago now. I have no civic pride, no affinity for its institutions, no love lost for any of its “world classiness.” I also think that it’s an absolute shame I’ve arrived at this juncture, because I was born in Chicago, raised here, and have multiple businesses here. I used to believe that there was something to be proud of. Now I look around, and I am simply repulsed by the politicians, the corruption, the BS, the anti-capitalism,… Read more »

rick
3 years ago

My wife and I looked forward to going “downtown” now we have absolutely no desire. Parking is too expensive, she worries about safety, and I wont go on principle. we’d rather hop in the car for an overnight in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, etc. Its a shame but the city no longer deserves my business. I’ve already had a lifetime of visiting Chicago’s museums, no loss, time to move on to other places. Our next trip we may even decide to fly out of a different city, midway is the most depressing airport anywhere the downstairs part, even when compared to… Read more »

Dale
3 years ago

Ditto for the County and the State!

rick
3 years ago

Its science, covid avoids airport terminals, everybody knows that. It also news anchor rooms, have you ever seen Anderson Cooper read the news with a mask on?

Thee Jabroni
3 years ago
Reply to  rick

Yes Rick,covid also avoids walmart,home depot and Jewel,but covid LOVES to go into small neighborhood bars,just ask JB and Lori Lightfoot,they have the “science” to prove it!

Greg G
3 years ago

I just LMAO at everybody who votes for a single democrat in IL. Unions, teachers (union as well & I should use quotes around teacher as they’re greedy bastards), takers, people with their heads up their backsides, these are the folks enabling Pritzker & Lightfoot to destroy private businesses, but continue to keep their “own” shops open. Yes, this is exhibit A why their policies & edits are 1) illegal 2) socialistic & 3) anti-American. Putting family-run businesses out of business, but still collecting 100% of their taxes due while allowing a government run business to remain open is pure… Read more »

Jeff
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg G

Teacher are greedy? What basis do you have to say that? I am one a want to be in school. I do not agree with Unions like mine who do not think we should be in school. I go to school and continue to teach from there. Pritzger and Logjtfot are idiots and bullies! Don’t group all of us teachers together just because we are in a union. Maybe you are jealous because you hate your own life and or job and wish you were someone else? Be nice!!

LessonLearned
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Jeff, you are willing part of an organization/system whose purpose is to educate. It is a noble profession that has been corrupted by your union and politicians. You seem to realize this yet you remain a member and benefit. Whether or not you like your union, agree or disagree with it, makes no difference. You are part of the problem. If you want our respect, then quit. If that seems harsh, consider that because of people like you, others like myself have felt compelled to quit Illinois.

Thee Jabroni
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

No jeff,my life is pretty good,but then again,i actually go to work every day to earn my pay and dont whine and complain and throw a hissy fit with threats of a strike every time someone looks at me cross eyed,unlike certain cps teachers

Aaron
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Jeff,
I know a teacher that makes more in retirement than she made in the first ten (or 12) years gross total. She has been retired for 15 years ago and going strong. Will probably live to 95. Going up up up every year.

The Truth Hurts
3 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

What’s your point AA Ron? The state offered the teacher a retirement with 3% increases each year and now her salary is larger. The legislature passed this enhancement in 1990 and the Governor signed it. Your complaint is with your elected officials not the teacher that is receiving her pension. None of this makes her a thief. She’s a tier 1 pensioner but the legislature no longer offers those pensions they are only honoring their past legal obligations no different than debt owed on bonds.

Aaron
3 years ago

That it is indeed greed to expect taxpayers to pay 100 years worth of working years salary regardless of the reality of economics.

The Truth Hurts
3 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

Not greedy at all to expect to receive your payment in full. Are bondholders “greedy” just because they expect their full payment? What about taxpayers expecting refunds from the state. Are they greedy? Are the vendors that are owed money greedy? The state owes many people money and everyone expects payment in full. None of them are greedy. Since the state hasn’t been paying their actuarial contribution to the funds for decades most of the money they owe is to pensioners. It’s not their fault as they actually tried to force the state to fund their pensions but the courts… Read more »

Aaron
3 years ago

The truth hurts,
here’s another fact that’s gonna hurt. Not everyone gets payment in full. Get used to it. But, hold out for every penny and collapse the system. Fight for every penny comrad.

The Truth Hurts
3 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

I agree not everyone gets payment in full but what you and others on here are hoping/wishing for is that only teachers or public employees get shorted. You blame them for the demise of the state when the state has been borrowing beyond their means with voter approval for years. Should all the people with US bonds in their retirement also give that money to the federal government so the system doesn’t collapse? Aren’t they being greedy by demanding repayment? We are 27 Trillion in debt after all and you wouldn’t want the system to collapse. When I bring that… Read more »

Heyjude
3 years ago

Serious question, Truth. How do you see contract law involved here? Citizens are bound by the Constitution, but how are they bound by a contract to which they did not agree? Can politicians bind voters to a contract?

James
3 years ago
Reply to  Heyjude

Apparently. Its done every time they make one. Wake up!

Heyjude
3 years ago
Reply to  James

Thanks for your prompt response.

The Truth Hurts
3 years ago
Reply to  Heyjude

First of all we live in a representative republic. The voters put these people in place who did agree to the contract. The people and their representatives put pension protection into the constitution so they voted on this very protection. The idea that the people don’t vote on every contract doesn’t matter. Your representatives voted for these contracts on each and every Illinois residents behalf. The state is bound by the contract not the residents. The constitution is designed to prevent the state from over stepping its’ powers. Such as cancelling contracts where they no longer want to pay. Citizens… Read more »

LessonLearned
3 years ago

Truth, everything you say is valid. That’s why I’m starting 2021 in a new state. While I find no fault with your logic, deep down we all know this isn’t going to end well for anyone in Illinois. In the end it isn’t about upholding contracts or laws. It’s about math.

Eugene from a payphone
3 years ago
Reply to  LessonLearned

You may end up paying Illinois from afar for I fear the Biden presidency will bail out the big spenders at the expense of everyone everywhere!

Riverbender
3 years ago
Reply to  Heyjude

Contracts? As in rental contracts that have been over ruled by the King to live somewhere for free despite what the rental contract says?

Aaron
3 years ago
Reply to  Heyjude

Citizens are not bound by constitution. Balanced budget and #2 as evidence.

Aaron
3 years ago

“They” are literally partially responsible for the demise of the state. Everyone is responsible, everyone pays. Keep your eyes closed and there is no problem right?

Kay Saroski
3 years ago

The difference is bondholders pay in to get a return of their free will and can sell their stake when they want. Taxpayers have no choice but to pay- and especially in the case of school parents, take it in the ear as schools are closed and are kids are being impacted. EVERYONE is being hurt that has to go to work, yet teachers pay and pension benefits are not impacted. Tell a hairdresser, a pub owner, a waitress, a small shop owner that it is fair and that we have some legal obligation to this bull*hit with no options… Read more »

Logan
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Jeff, if you are indeed a teacher then you might consider proofreading your text for comprehensibility and grammar. Standards, after all.

Governor of Alderaan
3 years ago

The bars and restaurants that are being fined for staying open should use this as exhibit A in their defense

rick
3 years ago

The problem is the judges are in on the whole thing to, and most lawyers as well.

Juicy Smollier
3 years ago
Reply to  rick

More dereliction of duty from the Supremes, ultimately. These emergency orders are all clearly unconstitutional (beyond statutes) at the state and national level. Just like with this TX suit, if they don’t take it or take it and stab us in the back, they are opening up a much worse can of worms. All trust will be lost in any institution. Period.

Last edited 3 years ago by Juicy Smollier
DixonSyder
3 years ago

I just came home from a bar visit, not in Cook/County/Chicago but a rural county 100 mi away. Had 4 beers with a friend, bar was crowded and everybody in there had the same opinion, FU PRITZGER!

James
3 years ago
Reply to  DixonSyder

When you visited that you must have been talking to grads of shit-kicker U.

DixonSyder
3 years ago
Reply to  James

They didnt serve the Kool Aid that you seem to enjoy swallowing. Lots of farmers around here that own hundreds of acres of land that provide the the food that’s put on peoples tables. By the way, most of these farmers and ranchers are worth millions of $$$.

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