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Economy

IL QC Businesses Ask Gov. to Let Them Open

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Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

Owners of businesses in the Illinois Quad Cities are asking Governor J.B. Pritzker to allow them to re-open at the same pace as Iowa Quad Cities businesses. 

Michelle O'Neill reports Monday morning, the Chamber of Commerce, elected officials, and business leaders discussed the damage being done to the regional economy by the lack of balance.

Paul Rumler, President and CEO of the chamber, says even before the coronavirus pandemic, some businesses decided to leave Illinois. Now, business in the Iowa Quad Cities is growing quickly, taking tax revenue with it. 

The TaxSlayer Center can't schedule events because of the uncertainty of the Restore Illinois plan which won't allow large gatherings until phase 5 or a vaccine is developed. Rumler says that means the possibility of almost a full year of Iowa businesses being open but businesses in the Illinois Quad Cities not open. 

Currently, people in Illinois are required to wear masks in public, but they aren't in Iowa. Iowa organizations are allowed to host large gatherings, but in Illinois, gatherings are limited to ten people or less. Rumler hopes the governor will consider the latest data that show the number of cases and deaths is declining. 

As Iowa businesses are allowed to fully reopen and serve their customers, Rumler says Illinois companies have to wait until June 26th to find out if more businesses can open with restrictions. 

Representatives from the TaxSlayer Center, Hungry Hobo, Tennant Trucking, the Rust Belt, and other groups joined chamber officials for Monday's press conference.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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