Governor JB Pritzker announced heightened restrictions on Monday and a return to daily press conference briefings after every region of the state saw an increase in COVID numbers. The Governor, who had stopped his daily press conferences in July, is alarmed at the increase that we’ve seen in October and is concerned with winter coming that numbers will continue to increase.

Governor Pritzker will also be tightening restrictions on Region 5. The positivity rate has gone above 8% and will see bars and restaurants have their indoor dining facilities closed again.

Region 5 includes the cities of Mount Vernon and Carbondale. Region 5 and Region 1 are both in tightened mitigations. The Governor is concerned about rising rates everywhere. 

The Governor says that a lot of this is coming from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri not having stricter rules. The Governor stressed that he would take action and will be working on protecting Illinois from a resurgence of COVID-19. 

Region 3 which includes Christian and Montgomery Counties is sitting at a positivity rate of 7.3%. If the State reaches 8%, Region 3 could see restrictions here as well.