Will County Gazette

House Minority Floor Leader Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) has many questions for why Gov. J.B. Pritzker has enacted new restrictions on public gatherings across his 97th District.

Beginning Wednesday, tighter restrictions banning indoor service at bars at restaurants in Will and Kankakee counties took effect due to the rising number of coronavirus cases across the area. In addition, those establishments are now also required to close by 11 p.m. and cap capacity at 25%. Casinos also must close at 11 p.m. and are limited to 25% capacity.

“I’m not sure the source or reason for the increased positivity rate,” Batinick said. “It is hard to explain that without context. A single hot spot tens of miles from our area could be the cause.”

With the counties suddenly posting positivity rates of better than 8% on three consecutive days, the governor wasted little time in acting, making the region the second of the state’s 11 to be sent in reverse in the state’s reopening process.

“This is not a perfect science and the reasons we are over it right now are more complex,” Batinick added. “First off, we are grouped with Kankakee County. County lines are a bit arbitrary. We are going to have odd situations like this because it can’t be perfect.”

In order to return to Phase 4 of the governor’s five-part Restore Illinois plan, the positivity rate needs to decline to 6.5% by the end of a two-week period. As of now, other rules for bars and restaurants include a 6 feet apart rule for outdoor gatherings, a no congregating at bars stipulation and a reservation requirement for each party.

The governor has now also instituted a statewide restaurant and bar policy mandating that all patrons wear a mask while interacting with wait staff and other employees.

As of Aug. 25, the Department of Public Health announced the state has reported 223,470 overall cases of the virus and including 7,917 deaths.