By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Already two weeks in, most restaurants and bars have adjusted to outdoor dining under Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan.

Plenty of Bloomington-Normal restaurants are offering the outdoor option.

“We’ve heard many positive comments from both customers, who are happy to get out and visit some of their favorite places, but also from the restaurant managers and owners,” said Normal City Manager Pam Reece. “So far, so good as far as we can tell.”

Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason echoed Reece’s remarks, saying lots of places were happy to open the doors in some capacity.

Meanwhile, some restaurants that didn’t have traditional outdoor dining might want to keep it as an option moving forward.

“If people want to continue some of the changes they’ve made once we do get to Phase 5, we’d be very happy to listen to them,” Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner told WJBC’s Scott Miller.

“I think it’s a possibility,” said Reece. “I think the town is certainly willing to talk with businesses to see what makes sense.”

Under the governor’s reopening plan, restaurants and bars can offer indoor dining in Phase 4, but the earliest that phase could start is June 26.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]