Shaw Media / ShawLocal.com • Tuesday, October 27, 2020
WHITESIDE NEWS
4
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Pritzker extends mitigation restrictions for Region 1 BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com Gov. JB Pritzker extended mitigation restrictions for Region 1 until Nov. 14 and warned that the state is now in a new wave of the virus. Region 1, which includes the Sauk Valley, Rockford and DeKalb, has been under stricter mitigation restrictions since Oct. 3 following a steady rise in cases. Restrictions include prohibiting indoor service at restaurants and bars and limiting gatherings to 25 people or 25% of room capacity. The restrictions do not apply to schools. Those measures were reissued and extended through Nov. 14 through the governor’s executive order Friday following two weeks
of positivity rates continuing to increase in the region. Region 1 has reached a rolling average positivity rate of 11.1%. County rates include 11% in Whiteside County, 10.5% in Lee County, 7.9% in Ogle County, 8% in DeKalb County and 10.4% in Winnebago County. “Every region of this state has started to move in the wrong direction,” Pritzker said during a Monday news conference. “Cases, positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths are rising statewide.” Region 5 in southern Illinois will join Region 1 under enhanced mitigations beginning after the region’s positivity rate stayed above 8% for three consecutive days. Regions 7 and 8 are nearing meet-
ing the criteria for tighter restrictions. Pritzker said he realizes the mitigations are problematic for small businesses and local economies, but the “virus does not seem to want to take this in account” and bars and restaurants are areas where they’re seeing spread. He pointed to the Business Interruption Grants Program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as an option for businesses to get some economic relief. Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike emphasized the importance of following health guidelines to curb the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, limiting
gatherings and getting tested, as well as demanding action from local health departments and officials. “Following public health recommendations will bring our numbers down and save our economy and let more of our kids go to school,” Pritzker said. The governor also said the state is entering a resurgence of the virus, and it’s a grave concern going into the holiday season when people might drop their guard. “Here in Illinois, it looks like a new wave could be upon us,” he said. Region 1 includes Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.
BUSINESSES & COVID-19
Region in ‘new territory’ as governor threatens liquor licenses of noncomplying businesses BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com
With the region entering tighter mitigation restrictions, the governor is warning noncomplying businesses that the state could take away their liquor and gambling licenses. Indoor dining will continue to be prohibited at bars and restaurants, as well as lowering outdoor table sizes from 10 to six people. Gathering restrictions will go from 25 to 10, not applying to schools or polling places. Dixon Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said businesses must have a liquor license from their local municipality as well as the state. If one is revoked, so is the other. Generally, the city would be the
lead on enforcement with license matters, but Gov. JB Pritzker said that the Illinois State Police will be issuing citations to businesses violating the mitigation restrictions and that could lead to taking away their liquor and gambling licenses. “The question will become what are we required to do locally if the state pulls a license,” Arellano said, adding that they’re speaking with the city attorney and working on getting clarification. “It will be interesting new territory.” There’s also the issue that some officials aren’t doing any enforcement, saying that the validity of the governor’s executive order is in question because it didn’t go through the legislature. There will likely be more lawsuits
in response to the restrictions, Arellano said. “I think it’s going to be a very painful time because businesses are starting to fail,” he said. “Unfortunately, there’s no easy solution.” Bars and restaurants are the “easiest enforcement target” for the state right now, without having to look at schools or other facilities, he said. “I’m confident that the bulk of the spread isn’t coming from bars and restaurants, but the bulk of the economic damage is,” Arellano said. The Dixon City Council will have a special meeting Monday to go over details of a city small business grant program geared toward bars and restaurants to provide them with aid following the restrictions.
Pritzker is emphasizing that businesses apply for the Business Interruption Grants Program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as an option to get some economic relief. Tighter mitigations came as a result of continuing rising cases and positivity rates in the region, as well as an urgency to curb the spread of the virus.
the Birthing Center, outpatient testing patients that need assistance, or endof-life situations,” the hospital said in a news release. “In these situations, one designated support person may be allowed. They must be age 18 or older, and be either immediate family members, powers of attorney, guardians or
patient representatives.” In addition, both CGH and outlying clinics are asking patients to attend appointments alone if possible. If a person is needed to accompany a patient, that person must wear a face mask at all times and go through a temperature screening.
“Remember that we are all in this together,” the release said. “Continue to protect yourself and others by washing your hands frequently, wearing a mask and maintaining social distance.” For more details on visitor restrictions and general COVID-19 information, go to www.cghmc.com/covid19
“It is very serious right now, folks, and if we need to close down restaurants and bars, or take away their liquor licenses, take away their gaming licenses, we will do that,” Pritzker said Thursday. “Because we are now heading into a peak that is beyond, potentially, where we were in March and April.”
COVID-19 & CGH Tighter visitor restrictions at CGH Medical Center Due to the recent increase in COVID19 cases, CGH Medical Center will no longer allow visitors beginning Oct. 26. “Some exemptions will be made for children admitted to the hospital,
