On March 15, Governor JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, announced the closure of all in-person bars and restaurants, only permitting delivery or pick up options to the public.
However, some small businesses are worried they will not survive the closure and are planning to try and stay open.
The penalty for that could be a $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail.
The business could also lose its liquor, food handlers and gaming licenses, but that is up to the state to decide.
Pritzker said he knows that this is a hard situation to navigate through for small businesses, but it’s something that must happen if this virus is going to be combated.
The governor said he is working on delivery, curbside pick up, and to go options with restaurants to keep their kitchens open.
He also said his administration has expanded unemployment to those who will not be getting their paychecks because of this and do not have access to sick leave.
