Lake County Gazette

Illinois House candidate Dan Yost (R-Antioch) is on a crusade to help as much of the state’s restaurant and bar industry through the coronavirus crisis as he can.

“Although you may be unable to dine-in, there are still plenty of ways to support local restaurants,” said Yost in urging residents of his 61st District to order carry-out or delivery and purchase gift cards from local restaurants as much as they can through the life of the crisis.

At best, restaurants and bars across much of the state have only operated at limited capacity over the last few weeks after Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered them closed for dine-in as a way of helping to slow the spread of the virus that as of March 30 had resulted in at least 5,057 known cases in Illinois, including 73 deaths.

With the disease showing no real signs of slowing and Illinois having recently been declared a hot spot for the spread of it, the pain has only grown for frustrated business owners.

“If you are able, let’s try and support our local businesses that have always been there for us,” Yost, now running against incumbent state Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee) in the 61st District, added in a post to Facebook. “We are all in this together.”

With restaurants so limited, the demand on grocery store chains to keep shelves stocked and spaces safe throughout the ordeal has only grown.

In a separate post, Yost took time out to thank grocers and store clerks for their dedicated service.

“Thank you to all the hardworking grocers out there stocking the shelves and making sure the stores are clean and safe to shop and feed our families,” he posted.

Yost, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, has based his platform on a message of being a needed alternative to the business-as-usual way of Springfield.

“For me on a personal level, I don’t want to go to Springfield to learn how to be a career politician, I’m going there to teach politicians how to be regular people,” he previously told the Lake County Gazette. “The people of Illinois deserve a government that works for us.”