Day: June 1, 2020

By Jeff Lampe Businesses across Illinois will breathe a sigh of relief today (May 29) – even if the breath they exhale is filtered by a state-mandated mask. The long-awaited reopening of Illinois’ economy starts today following two months of closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After meeting a variety of scientific thresholds in terms of COVID-19 cases, testing, etc., Illinois shifts into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, which spells out steps to reopen from restrictions. A late addition to the list of businesses that can expand operations are bars and restaurants, which will be able to offer…

For years now I’ve read articles about the downfall of democracy and how democratic societies are doomed to fail. Maybe. But among the many lessons of the coronavirus is this one: we need democracy. By that I mean, we need the balancing act that is our government, no matter how flawed, divided and frustrating it may be. Last week, the Illinois Legislature met in Springfield after having been absent for far too long. In their absence, what happened? Gov. JB Pritzker was given free reign over the state. Whether the governor’s handling of the pandemic crisis was done well or…

By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – The Village Board discussed the tabled Tri County Phased Reopening Plan last week, but Trustees took a cautious approach to relaxing measures intended to protect the public from the COVID-19 virus. “We’ll decide at our June 1 meeting how to proceed,” said Village President Jeff Troutman. “The governor has already edited some things in his [“Restore Illinois”] plan, so we’re looking at giving it through the holidays before we act.” Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said all regions of Illinois are on track to move to the next phase of his five-phase…