SE Illinois News

In Harrisburg – located in a county in which just seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported – many business owners say they are ready to reopen. 

Many southern Illinois entrepreneurs told WPSD Local 6 they have had enough of Gov. J.B. Pritker's stay-at-home order and are looking for restrictions to be lifted. In response, the Harrisburg City Council held a special meeting to address lifting restrictions and to send Pritzker a message from southern Illinois towns. 

"Why in the world can I see three of my clients in Kroger while I'm grocery shopping, yet I can't see one of my clients one at a time?" Katrina Cerutti, owner of CurlyQ beauty salon in Harrisburg, told the Harrisburg City Council at the special meeting. Cerutti said she hasn't had income from her salon since March 21. 

Some owners told the City Council that southern Illinois regions are seeing low COIVD-19 cases and should have restrictions eased, according to WPSD Local 6. 

As of May 28, Illinois reported 115,833 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 5,186 deaths. Saline County has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 and zero fatalities.

"I just feel like the numbers are not there down here to justify, to keep us from going back to work," business owner Stephanie Church told the City Council.

Business owner Jerry Hunt also pointed out that the numbers were low, according to WPSD Local 6. 

"We just want a normal life. I don't think anybody here knows anyone that has even a sneeze from the COVID virus," Hunt said at the meeting. 

Business owners said they are ready to reopen and have even taken every necessary precaution there is to take. They are now waiting on Pritzker to make a decision. 

"We know our people, and we can do the one-on-one thing. My clients would be happy to sit in their car and wait until the next person comes out," Church said at the meeting, according to WPSD Local 6. 

Harrisburg Mayor John McPeek agrees with business owners on the matter and said at the meeting he hopes the governor receives their message. 

"Downstate southern Illinois is hurting, and these small businesses are losing money every day," McPeek told the City Council. "They're not able to pay their bills."