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New COVID-19 Mitigations Put Illinois QC Businesses at a Disadvantage

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Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce
A coffeeshop in Rock Island, IL

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce says the governor of Illinois is not treating bars and restaurants fairly. Tomorrow, the state will implement more restrictions because Region 2 is not meeting the public health department's COVID-19 targets. 

Credit Michelle O'Neill / WVIK News
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WVIK News
Paul Rumler, Pres. & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce (file)

Paul Rumler, Quad Cities Chamber President and CEO, says bar, restaurant, and venue owners have been complying with CDC guidelines, and made significant investments to do so.

And he says there's no direct correlation between the rise in COVID-19 cases and in person restaurant and bar service. 

Local county health officials have said a lot of the recent case hike is tied to family and household spread. 

It's been nearly five months since Governor J.B. Pritzker ignored the chamber's request for Illinois businesses to reopen at the same time as Iowa businesses. Rumler says now the livelihoods of thousands of leisure and hospitality workers are at even greater risk. 

Credit http://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=2
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http://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=2
Screenshot of the Illinois COVID-19 regional divisions with Region 2 in pink

Under the new restrictions, indoor service at Illinois bars and restaurants is banned. All gatherings must be kept to a minimum of 25% capacity or 25 people, whichever is less.

Illinois Region 2 is the last of the state's eleven regions to be placed under increased mitigations for COVID-19. It includes Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Mercer, Knox, Warren, and 14 other counties.

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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