CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced emergency rules on Friday for businesses, schools, and child care facilities to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.
“These rules are a common sense way to enforce mask requirements without jumping immediately to the extremely tough consequences that exist on the books today,” he said.
Businesses will first be given a written warning if they are found not to be complying with mask wearing requirements and proper distancing.
If that doesn’t successfully encourage a business to come into compliance, an order will be given to that business to force some or all patrons to leave, depending on what is needed to comply with distancing guidelines.
If the first two steps don’t work, the business may be hit with misdemeanor charges and a fine of $75 to $2500.
IDPH and local health departments are empowered to hold businesses accountable under these rules.
“They’ll give local authorities a step-by-step guide on how to enforce masks and distancing, and an opportunity to help businesses act in good faith,” Pritzker said.
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