'Please Patronize Our Local Restaurants': New Lenox Mayor

NEW LENOX, IL — New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann has shared a video update with residents as new restrictions are set to be implemented in Will County. Since the new restrictions particularly impact restaurants and bars, Baldermann asked residents to patronize New Lenox businesses.

Due to three consecutive days of a positivity rate over 8 percent, new mitigation efforts will begin in region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee counties. With the new restrictions, bars and restaurants must close at 11 p.m., and there is no more indoor service or indoor dining at bars and restaurants. Another change is a gathering and social event limit of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity, whichever is lower.

"For as long as these additional restrictions are in place, we would ask you to please patronize our local restaurants with that carry-out and outdoor dining," Baldermann said.

Since these restrictions only apply to Will and Kankakee counties, the restaurants are at a disadvantage, Baldermann said.

"We know how disappointing this is to be playing on an unlevel playing field," Baldermann said in his message, speaking to business owners.

The most recent data shows region 7 at an 8.3 positivity rate. Will County is also at warning level due to its new cases per 100,000 and its number of deaths.

"I can't help but be a little concerned and I have a difficult time understanding why we're putting such a strong emphasis on this positivity rate of testing," Baldermann said. "We have looked at the mortality rate, we have looked at the hospitalizations."

Baldermann said Silver Cross Hospital is not overwhelmed and its biggest issue is actually getting access to testing.

"We'll continue to take this virus seriously, as we always have," Baldermann said. "We'll continue to deal in science, not politics."

Baldermann also advised that residents follow CDC guidelines regarding mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing.

IDPH will track the positivity rate in region 7 to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigations should remain in place, a release states.

If the positivity rate averages less than or equal to 6.5 percent over a 14-day period, then region 7 will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate averages between 6.5 percent and 8 percent, the new mitigations will remain in place and unchanged. If the positivity rate averages greater than or equal to 8 percent after 14 days, more stringent mitigations will be applied to further reduce spread of the virus.

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