The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, representing Illinois gas stations and convenience stores, issued the following statement on ongoing shutdowns of convenience stores and gas stations by the City of Chicago: CEO Josh Sharp stated, “Our message is clear today to leaders in the City of Chicago: arbitrarily closing our small business members will not stop your terrible gun violence problem. You have to do better.
At a news conference in the city last week, owners of more than two dozen convenience stores and gas stations bravely stepped forward to protest recent shutdowns by the city. These businesses were cited for minor building violations, and some lost thousands of dollars in business while they fought to reopen.”
“Where is the win in this? It’s not good for employees,” says Robert Razowsky, Rmarts President CEO. “There’s not any due process. If the city would give us warnings, we can fix it. We’re not against fixing things. Just be fair about it.”
Sharp added, “This week, I am hearing from more members who have arbitrarily had stores closed, and had to fight ‘herculean efforts’ just to get them reopened.
This is an incredibly difficult time for our members to do business in the city. Aside from the very real threats of violence in their neighborhoods, they increasingly face a hostile business environment with higher fees and taxes on them and their customers all while trying to navigate the ever-changing obstacles from the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing down gas stations not only hurts our members, it’s also an expensive mistake for the city. In 2020, Chicago enjoyed more than $100 million in tax revenue from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund and Transportation Renewal Fund; that’s almost $275,000 every single day. Shuddering pumps across the city means less tax dollars for the city and more headaches for Chicago drivers.
The IFRA calls on the City of Chicago to end these senseless closings and refocus its efforts on partnering with our members and the entire community to reduce the violence plaguing the streets. Our members will not stand for being scapegoats while the real problems continue to wreak havoc in our neighborhoods.”
