Lake County Gazette

Tom Poynton, Lake Zurich's village president, moved to suspend residential water shutoffs and forbear rent payments for businesses that lease village-owned property.

Suspension of water service shutoffs will benefit any resident with an outstanding bill. Select businesses will see a temporary suspension of monthly rent obligations.

“With everything basically shut down, many more people home, many people without jobs, some furloughed, we are sensitive to the pain some folks may be going through,” Poynton told the Chicago Tribune. “It was decided that the responsible,  reasonable, humanitarian and right thing to do was to help where we  could."

Poynton was given authority to declare a formal state of emergency in late March by the village board. In early April, Poynton followed other local leaders and closed public buildings, canceled public meetings, and gave other emergency directives. 

Poynton says punishing someone for failure to pay by turning off their water in a time of crisis is an unreasonable thing to do. Local businesses have had to quickly adapt to the state stay-at-home order, which has led to slower economic activity.

“These businesses were forced to close through absolutely no fault of their own,” Poynton said. “We hope this helps them, at least a little.”

Three Lake Zurich businesses, Johnny's Shoe Repair, My Flavor It! Place and Craving Gyros, had rent waived for one month. 

“They were pleased the village was tossing them an assist during these times,” Kyle Kordell, assistant to the village manager, told the Tribune. “Small businesses are getting crushed right now.  We are all in this together, and all of these places have been great hometown businesses. We want to support any way we can.”

Lake Zurich has created payment plans to help nine families with their water bill during the crisis.