Some restaurants, churches reopening
By Jeff Lampe
Reality is returning to central Illinois, slowly but surely.
One of the more visible signs of the shift to Phase 3 of the Illinois Restore plan has been diners eating outside restaurants and taverns that until May 29 had been limited to carry-out only.
The chance to enjoy a sit-down meal cooked by someone else was well-received by diners across the area, who took advantage of beautiful weather to sample meals at local establishments.
“We were very busy last Saturday and we did OK with it on Friday too,” said Jeanne Foffel, who works at Julie’s Cafe Market in Toulon. “But I can’t wait until we can get people in here again. They’re not going to want to sit outside in the heat.”
Restaurants and municipalities have been scrambling to adapt to COVID-19 outdoor serving guidelines, which require no more than six people per table with tables at least six feet apart.
In Galva, the city provided tables for its four restaurants and made special allowances for use of city property, in some cases. The same was true in Toulon and Wyoming, where local government has been working with restaurant and bar owners who have been hard hit by COVID-19 edicts.
This weekend will mark another step toward reality, as churches can resume holding services following a surprise announcement on May 28 by Gov. JB Pritzker.
“Having received many plans and ideas from responsible faith leaders, [the Illinois Department of Public Health] has reviewed many detailed proposals and has provided guidance – not mandatory restrictions – for all faith leaders to use in their efforts to ensure the health and safety of their congregants,” Pritzker said. “The safest options remain remote and drive-in services. But for those that want to conduct in-person activities, IDPH is offering best practices.”
Pritzker’s decision came in the face of several lawsuits, including one by the Thomas More Society on behalf of numerous churches.
“This is a total and complete victory for people of faith,” Peter Breen, vice president and senior counsel of the Thomas More Society, said in a statement. “Illinois’ governor and his administration abused the COVID-19 pandemic to stomp on the religious liberty of the people of Illinois. By issuing guidelines only and not the previously announced mandatory restrictions, he has handed a complete victory to the churches in Illinois.”
Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria announced May 29 that parishes can resume masses this weekend, when the church marks Holy Trinity Sunday.
Some Catholic churches are reopening, but others like St. John the Evangelist in Galva are aiming for June 13-14 to reopen. Call ahead to see when your parish will reopen.
The Prairie News contacted local Stark County area churches to see how they are going to reopen.
• Toulon First Baptist Church – Will be open this Sunday, June 7, but will require masks, social distancing, the pews will be marked for seating and parishioners will have their temperature taken upon entering the church.
• Toulon First Congregational – Not reopening as of yet.
• Toulon United Methodist – June 28 is reopening date for the church, with pews marked for seating.
• Toulon Faith Baptist – Services will resume for a limit of 10 or fewer parishioners. That may increase to 17 people at some point.
• Wyoming St. Timothy Lutheran – Remote viewing will continue through June, with services in the church to resume in July.
• Wyoming First Congregational – Yet to be determined.
At press time, other churches had not responded to phone messages.
