Illinois starts new restriction

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

I'm patrece dayton.

There are several "new" restrictions you should expect in illinois.

It's all in an effort to stop the spread of covid-19.

Take a look... fitness centers and retail stores cannot operate at more than 25-percent capacity.

Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at up to half capacity.

Personal care services must operate at the lesser of 25 clients ..

Or 25-percent capacity.

Casinos and indoor recreation centers... like theaters will be closed.

Bars and restaurants will maintain restrictions..

Like limited hours and indoor services.

The new restrictions have affected even our smaller communities in the wabash valley.

News 10's dominic miranda spoke with officials from one of those towns today.

He joins us now live in our newsroom to explain how they're helping local business through the holiday season.

Patrece.... i spoke with jennifer bishop this afternoon.

She's the executive director for the marshall chamber of commerce.

She told me the city is working tirelessly together to make sure businesses don't see the negative financial impacts of these restrictions.

Especially heading into the holiday season..

[take pkg incue: **bite** it's disheartening outcue: **bite** we're getting thru it duration:1:20] pk} "it's disheartening that we have to move backwards a little bit."

Jennifer bishop is the executive director for the marshall chamber of commerce.

She says businesses here have done an excellent job of adapting to provide different ways to continue servicing customers.

The chamber is working together with local businesses to push shopping local for the entire holiday season.

"it's your store and it's your livelihood.

So this is your opportunity to shine.

Encourage people to shop local.

Be on your social media pages and let people know what you have to offer.

You have to constantly be reminding people your hours and days that your open.

Really the whole gamit."

Bishop says restaurants are the ones being really hit by illinois' restrictions.... but retailers will feel it too.

She says she's confident businesses will step up... adapt to better serve customers... and enforce covid-19 recommendations to make marshall a safer place while also minimizing any negative financial impacts during this time.

"we can do this.

We can do it together.

Just keep your head up.

I think everyone has worked together.

Things have changed.

Policies have changed hour by hour but we're getting through it."

Bishop says bishop says there are still many financial help opportunities, grants, and loans that local businesses can still take advantage of.

She says the chamber and local businesses will work together to still have a successful holiday season.

Reporting live in the newsroom i'm dominic miranda