Skip to main content

Local Restaurants and Bars Allowed to Reopen, Gov. Pritzker Says

 By Shayna Griffith


Image Credit: Joliet Herald-News

Gov. Pritzker gave Will and Kankakee County restaurants and bars the green light to resume serving indoor guests during a press conference on Friday morning. This means that Will and Kankakee Counties will return to Phase 4 starting this week.


In late August, restaurants and bars were ordered to temporarily end serving guests indoors as coronavirus cases increased in Will county, breaking the 8% threshold. However, as of Friday, Will and Kankakee Counties have reached the threshold to lift these restrictions as coronavirus cases decreased for three consecutive days with only a 5.6% positivity rate.


Many small businesses are celebrating these lifted restrictions in the Joliet area since the outdoor-only seating mitigations were damaging their business. The Joliet Area Restaurant and Bar Guide posted the news to its Facebook page on Friday morning: 


“Great News. Will County is back in business. Per Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health ... This means that the region is returned to Phase 4 at 5 p.m. today. Restaurants and bars can reopen for indoor dining and meetings, social events and gatherings can return to a limit of 50 people."


In his press conference, Gov. Pritzker described the communities’ committed efforts to keeping coronavirus cases low by taking restrictions seriously and staying home when ordered. “We can't outrun this virus,” he said, “but with the tools we know to work – masks, distancing, handwashing, and respect for public health and each other – we can beat it back enough to keep our businesses open and our neighborhoods safer all at once. Don't let up now, Region 7 – let's keep this success going."


But some business did just the opposite for the sake of staying open. Rick Thayer, owner of Joliet's Thayer Bros. Deli on Ruby Street, started serving indoor guests 5 days before the restrictions were even lifted. 


Coronavirus positivity rates will continue to be monitored in the upcoming weeks. If the percentage rate surpasses the 6.5% threshold, restaurants and bars will once again be restricted to outdoor seating only.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wisconsin High School Sports Face An Uncertain Winter Season

By Sarah Vandermolen photo courtesy of nytimes.com Although most Wisconsin high schools decided to compete in fall sports this year, it seems some schools will not have the same luck for the winter sport season. Unlike other states, Wisconsin does not have a statewide mandate in regards to high school sports. For this reason, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) has left school districts to decide whether they will be participating in winter sports.  Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases, many high schools in Wisconsin have decided to suspend their winter sport season, while others are charging forward with competitions. However, even if schools decide to hold their winter season, not all high schools will begin on time.  According to rivertowns.net , "Locally, River Falls and New Richmond have suspended all athletics and activities through Dec. 7, while Hudson, St. Croix Central and Somerset are beginning as planned."  St. Croix Central athletic dire...
Post a Comment
Read more

This Week in Saint's News

 Frank Piegari  Hello Saints! With Thanksgiving and finals right around the corner, there is no shortage of things to do this week at the University of Saint Francis. To kick things off tonight (11/28), the Justice League will be hosting another Tabletop Game Night beginning at 7 p.m. in Motherhouse room C305. But that's not all we have. Beginning at 7 p.m., the Asian American Student Association will be hosting a Filipino Family Night in the Abbey Lounge located in Marion Hall. The event will feature food and karaoke so if you're interested, be sure to stop by. On Tuesday (11/29), the Criminal Justice and Pre-Law Society and the Social Work Club will be hosting a screening of the documentary "Jacinta". The screening begins at 5:30 in San Damiano Hall and will be followed up by a discussion and attendees will also have the opportunity to make a Christmas card for an incarcerated person. On Wednesday (11/30), the girls basketball team has a home game at 7 p.m. against ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Morton Arboretum Holds their 10th Annual "Illumination" Tree Light Exhibit

By: Hannah Mitchell Due: 12/6/22 Join the Morton Arboretum this holiday season for the 10th annual Illumination: Tree Lights exhibit during its 100th anniversary year. The exhibit is available from November 19th through January 7th, 2023 opening up at 4:30 pm and closing at 8:30 each night. According to mortonarb.org , “...guests will explore 18 different features along a tree-lined one-mile walking trail immersed in color, light and sound created exclusively for The Morton Arboretum.” Guests will most definitely get their movement in for the day with this event. Interested in going and what the ticket prices are? If you are a member the standard adult tickets are $22, with children being $14. As far as guest tickets, the standard adult price is $27 and children are $16. This event will be closed December 12th, 24th and 25th. There are also discounted nights throughout the season that you can find here . If you end up getting hungry, concession tents are scattered throughout the event ...
Post a Comment
Read more