ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Restaurants and bars on the Illinois side of the Mississippi are slowing down after an order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker Sunday restricts businesses to delivery, drive-thru and curbside pickup orders.
One Rock Island City Council alderman is offering relief for workers impacted by these changes. Alderman Dylan Parker started a Go Fund Me page to raise relief funds for workers struggling to get by.
"I immediately starting thinking about how we as the Quad Cities and the city [of Rock Island] can help our businesses and employees that work at those businesses that are going to be affected by this," he said.
Restaurants are expected to need fewer employees or to close altogether through the end of the month. The governor will reassess the situation come March 30.
Parker says nearly 25 people have already applied for assistance.
He says people can request any amount they think will help them get by during these uncertain weeks, but how much people actually receive will depend on how many donations he raises.
As of Tuesday morning, there's a little more than $1,400 in the fund. Parker plans to distribute it on a rolling basis.
"Hopefully, with the Quad Cities generous community, we're going to be able to help some people who are out of work on no fault of their own," he said.
Parker says the Rock Island City Council is looking over low-interest or zero-interest loans for businesses and workers impacted by the coronavirus.
Bartenders can receive assistance through the United States Bartenders' Guild National Charity Foundation.
Iowa and Illinois have also taken steps to make it easier for people to get unemployment benefits.
In Illinois, you may qualify for unemployment benefits if you're unable to work because your employer temporarily shuts down because of the virus. You have to be able to return to work at any moment.
You do not qualify if they're missing work to take care of kids who can't be at school right now.
In Iowa, that's not the case. You may qualify if you're self-quarantining and missing work as well as if you are staying home to take care of kids who can't go to school.
In both states, there are basic requirements you still have to meet to get unemployment benefits.