Saving Neighborhood Flavor: Brian Bernardoni on Regulation, Relief, and the Future of Mom-and-Pop America

Bill continues his conversation with government affairs expert Brian Bernardoni for a deeper look at how taxes, regulations, and soaring commodity prices are squeezing out the family-run restaurants that define communities across Chicago — and across America. Brian lays out practical, targeted solutions: short-term property tax relief, flexible sales-tax approaches, and more nimble decision-making at the local level. He also explains why local officials do understand the crisis, but lack the executive flexibility to solve it — meaning the public must step up with ideas before beloved neighborhood institutions disappear for good. Bill and Brian close with memories of disappearing ice-cream stands and the ripple effects when small food businesses vanish.

Should local governments offer short-term tax relief to protect mom-and-pop restaurants — or is that an unfair advantage in the marketplace? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Follow Bill on X at @BillBernardoni, explore his work at Bernardoni.media, and read his latest writings at Bernardoni.blog. Learn more about Brian by visiting teamstrategia.com/.