A Vermilion County Board member wants the board to take a stance in support of local businesses. Jerry Hawker says Governor J.B. Pritzker’s multiple executive orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are causing financial harm to not only the business owners but the county’s economy, too.
“In particular, restaurants and those establishments that serve alcohol – it’s going to totally wreck their small businesses,” said Hawker. “Several have said ‘one more shutdown and we’ll be gone,’’ Hawker added.
The Vermilion County Board believes that Vermilion County business owners should be given the opportunity to stay open for business, while practicing social distancing and the use of face masks in their establishments – says the proposed resolution introduced by Hawker. He asked that it be forwarded to the board’s Executive Committee for consideration.
County Board Chairman Larry Baughn told VermilionCountyFirst.com last week that Hawker’s resolution would need to be sent to the state’s attorney’s office for reviewing. The county board has consistently been supportive of businesses, and the Vermilion County Health Department has continued to allow restaurants to remain open since last summer.
