The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
Hancock County businesses not already open for customers, especially restaurants, are working today to safely open for business.
This follows action June 16 by the Hancock County Board to declare the county open for all businesses, defying current executive orders by Illinois Governor Pritzker.
The board passed a resolution Tuesday that declares "Hancock County Illinois will resume opening businesses, without restrictions, and begin to live their lives as was normal before the Covid Pandemic, as of June 17th, 2020."
Before the vote, the board heard from a passionate group wanting to be able to reopen their businesses. The meeting was held in the large county court room.
"These are an oppressed people sitting here. We want to open our businesses. We want to have a cookout with more than eleven of our friends and not have to call it a protest," stated Chad Stewart who leads the group Re-open Hancock County.
Stewart questioned the closures as medically necessary.
"At the hospital I'm telling you there are empty beds out there. Right across the street at MORE Medical, there are 17 modified C-PAP machines approved as a respirator. That's more than enough for all the cases we have had in the county. We can handle to open up. We don't want our businesses to die from oppression."
Kathy Sparrow spoke about struggles during her husband's hospitalization when she could not be with him and advocate for his care.
"We are not here to cause division, we are hear to exercise our constitutional right to be heard," Sparrow said.
"Our governor and other elected officials have taken part in protests that attracted larger crowds than we would ever have at a funeral in Hancock County. It is time to stop bowing down to the tyranny of our governor and reopen Hancock County. Stop letting Chicago control our lives."
Barry Whitaker spoke about starting up his restaurant in Bowen last year.
"You guys need to do what is right, or there will be a lot of businesses shutting down," Whitaker said.
Scott Hall of Warsaw reminded the board they represent the people of Hancock County. He brought copies of the U.S. Constitution, asking if there is something in it that allows the closures to continue so long.
"It is only common sense that what happens in Chicago does not relate to what is going on in Warsaw," Hall said.
Many other speakers addressed the issue of local control of business and the harm of being forced to remain closed.
Board president reminded the group that they could open.
"This board did not close down the county, and we don't really need to vote to open it," Kreps said. "Why don't you just go ahead and open up?"
State's Attorney Rachel Mast confirmed that the only thing prohibiting businesses from reopening is the governor's executive order at this point. The question of whether the executive orders are law is currently under litigation throughout the state, she said.
After presenting the resolution, Patsy Davis, added: "I'm saying this is a recommendation. I'm saying be smart. It is up to each and every one of you to figure out how to get this done."
She has talked to people in Clark County, Illinois, near Indiana, who implemented a similar resolution on May 8.
"They have been doing fine with it. There have been no repercussions. Everyone of us sitting here is one of you guys."
The measure passed 8 to 4 with two voting present. Yes votes came from Wayne Bollin, Harry Douglas, Patsy Davis, Pat Cramer, Tom Rogers, Mark Menn, Tom Scheetz and Dennis Castlebury. No votes were from Steve Finney, Steve Bolton, Janet Fleming and Bryan Stevens. Present votes were cast by Mark Hansen and Delbert Kreps.
Board member Bryan Stevens talked about things he can or cannot do while serving on the board. He expressed concern for insurance coverage being canceled if the county went against the executive orders.
"Bryan Stevens as a private citizen agrees with this resolution," he said. "We as a board cannot put the county at risk. Let's look at the big picture. You say people aren't going to sue, oh yes they will. In a heartbeat."
In other business, the board:
- Accepted a petition from Todd Courtois with over 300 signatures, seeking a vote to split Illinois into two states, Chicago and the remainder of the state;
- Approved 14 businesses that have applied for Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program grants, acknowledging board member Tom Rodgers, as well as Kathy Jacobs and Sherry Saint for their efforts;
- Approved two engineering agreements for bridge replacement on the Denver to Plymouth blacktop at Panther Creek, and on the Bluff Road south of Warsaw at Mallard Creek;
- Adopted three resolutions to continue the Hancock County Public Transportation System;
- Hired Jenny Meeks as full time temporary EMS coordinator until a final decision is made about contracting for an outside ambulance service or continuing local service.
Hancock County Return to Work Recommended Illinois Guidelines
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Illinois Executive Order 2020-10 is continued, and has extended only a Phase 3 status to the people and businesses of Hancock County, which extends through the end of June, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing restrictions on business threatens the livelihood and economy of Hancock County, and
WHEREAS, the Hancock County Health Department's reporting on Covid 19 cases, has been minimal compared to the projections by the state, and
WHEREAS, the state has been under seige from rioters, and
WHEREAS, as the Covid 19 restrictions have been completely ignored by the Governor to these so-called protesters and rioters, that the accusations of imprisonment and withholding of funds has become a mute point, and
WHEREAS, the Hancock Health Department will still monitor cases, and report the Covid totals and other health related information as they have done in the past before the pandemic, and
WHEREAS, all restaurants, bars, personal care providers, professional services, retailers, places of worship, gaming rooms, gyms, exercise facilities, public parks, golf courses and camp grounds, movie theaters swimming pools, manufacturing, construction, daycares and service industries, are able to open at their discretion, implementing whatever safe guards they wish to utilize, and
WHEREAS, nursing homes, and other health facilities will be able to open or close doors to visitors, as they would in a regular flu epidemic, and
NOW THEREFORE, the Hancock County Board declares that Hancock County Illinois will resume opening businesses, without restrictions, and begin to live their lives as was normal before the Covid Pandemic, as of June 17th, 2020.
Signed by Delbert Kreps, Chairman,
Hancock County Board
Kerry Asbridge,
Hancock County Clerk and Recorder
Chad Stewart of Elvaston, organizer of the Open Hancock County group, speaks during a board meeting Tuesday as Hancock County Board Chairman Delbert Kreps listens to concerns.