Bars and restaurants will not allow inside dining effective today. Governor Pritzker will close inside dining and drinking in Region 1 bars and restaurants because of increased cases of COVID-19.
Several DeKalb County businesses requested the court to consider overriding the closures, but a local judge denied the request.
The local law enforcement agencies have taken a variety of stances on enforcing this mandate. Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle says his office won’t be enforcing the state’s new COVID-19 mitigation rules that starts today, but the Illinois State Police could. Winnebago Sheriff Department will not take an active role with this action. DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott has not returned our call.
With the increase in COVID-19 cases, Gov. Pritzker will limit indoor dining and drinking in Region 1 ‘indefinitely’. Pritzker said Friday that Illinois State Police will be in the Rockford and other Region1 locations this weekend to enforce the new mandate.
“Many area bars and restaurants will be challenged by this closing,” commented Jeff Doby, owner of Fattys Pub in DeKalb. “It has been difficult keeping staff with the Governor’s on again off again mandates.”
A meeting was held in Rockford this past Thursday by attorney Thomas DeVore of Sorento, Illinois. He advised area bar and restaurant owners that they have no legal obligation to follow the state order. Theses bars may face legal challenges.
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