The Peoria City Council has unanimously approved a resolution supporting small businesses and asking Governor J.B. Pritzker to allow small businesses to operate in a manner consistent with big box stores during the pandemic. And the Vermilion County Board may follow suit.
Vermilion County Board member Chuck Mockbee said during a board meeting last night that small businesses are hurting. ‘’They need our help,’’ said Mockbee.
Vermilion County Board Chairman Larry Baughn told the board he intends to draft a resolution declaring the county board’s support for business owners while also asking Governor Pritzker to amend his region-by-region opening plan. Baughn said he agrees with Mockbee that the county needs to show its support of small business while asking the governor to review a region-by-region plan for re-opening.
Baughn said the Vermilion County Board could either approve a resolution at its next meeting or call a special session to act on it.
The resolution approved last night by the Peoria City Council is also being sent to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Peoria resolution noted many local small businesses that sold non-essential items were deemed non-essential and were not allowed to stay open to the public. But many big-box retailers who sell a mix of essential and non-essential goods were deemed essential businesses and allowed to remain open to the public. The Peoria resolution said that gives the big box stores a competitive advantage over local small businesses. The Peoria City Council also says it believes that local small businesses can implement public health precautions in compliance with CDC guidelines similar to what big-box stores are currently enforcing.
