Tourism board endorses city contract
Patrick Stout, Voice Correspondent
USA Today Network
MACOMB The board of the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau voted this week to endorse a new contract with the city of Macomb. Board President Dave Dorsett said the agreement could go to the Macomb City Council next week for approval.
Dorsett said the MACVB would receive 78 percent of city hotel/motel tax revenue. Director Jock Hedblade reported that, while local revenue is low this year, the bureau is receiving 50 percent of its revenue from the state. What we re getting covers operation of the office, he said.
Canton Daily Ledger
SPRINGFIELD The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host longstanding programs with two national Veterans organizations at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site in Springfield on Lincoln s Birthday, Feb. 12.
The American Legion Springfield Post 32 will honor its tradition of hosting the 87th Annual National American Legion Pilgrimage to the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife and three of their four sons. Post 32 is the originator of this tradition, which has been an American Legion major activity since 1935. The Wreath Placing Ceremony will be held inside the Lincoln Tomb at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12. Participants will follow all public health and safety guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Phase 4 would allow restaurants in the Metro East to welcome diners back inside, gyms to hold indoor classes and groups of 50 people to gather in the region.
Voice Correspondent
MACOMB Mayor Mike Inman discussed Friday a three-legged stool of community strategies for coping with the coronavirus pandemic. He said they are mitigation, testing, and vaccination.
Inman spoke from Macomb City Hall and his comments have been posted to the Macomb You-Tube channel.
The mayor said McDonough County has a less than three percent COVID-19 positivity rate and that the regional rate is around five percent. He said three days at 6.5 percent or less is the Restore Illinois Phase 4 standard.
Inman announced Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 testing dates in Macomb. All will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tanner Hall Circle on the campus of Western Illinois University. Testing will be done on February 4, 8, 15, and 17.
Macomb steps toward reopening as region moves into Phase 4 Monday
Patrick Stout
McDonough County Voice
MACOMB Restore Illinois Phase 4 mitigations took effect Monday in McDonough County, according to a statement from the county health department.
Public Information Officer Raeva Farris said, Hospitals have capacity and can quickly adapt for a surge of new cases in their communities. Additional measures can be carefully lifted, allowing for schools and child care programs to reopen with social distancing policies in place.
Farris added that restaurants can open with limited capacity and following strict public health procedures, including personal protective equipment for employees. Gatherings with 50 people or fewer will be allowed. She said all barbershops, salons, spas and health and fitness centers may open with capacity limits and Illinois Department of Public Health approved safety guidance. Cinemas and theaters can open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety gu