By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Normal and Bloomington are more than ready for a Portillo’s restaurant, so said Normal Mayor Chris Koos even though tax breaks for Portillo’s developer may have hurt him in a very tight race for re-election.

Koos joined local chamber of commerce leaders and Portillo’s CEO Keith Kinsey for groundbreaking ceremonies Thursday at the site of the old Motel Six and Fairfield Inn on Landmark Drive.

Koos acknowledges $1.8 million in sales tax rebates to Portillo’s developer might have hurt him politically, especially when voters found out Champaign offered no financial incentives for its new Portillo’s.

He said Normal and Champaign are very different sites.

“This site in Champaign was a restaurant that went out of business, so they had clear ground,” Koos said. “They couldn’t find a site with clear ground here. That’s why we helped them.”

The mayor leads challenger Marc Tiritilli by only seven votes. Final election results will be known Tuesday.

Koos noted the Landmark Drive site currently generates $30,000 to $40,000 in sales taxes per year. Portillo’s is expected to produce up to $400,000 a year.

The restaurant, famous for its beef, burgers, salads, pasta and chocolate cake, will employ 200 full-and-part-time workers. Portillo’s opening now scheduled for mid-August.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].