COVID Consequences

Last week we saw the first evidence of the damage done to our local economy due to the pandemic. The Wayne County Board had to use reserves to patch up their budget for next year because of a significant dip in sales tax revenues. The cities in our region will be dealing with the same issue with their budgets.

I’ve talked often about the need for us to support local businesses as they go through these tough times.

I believe there is a way to do so, safely.

For instance, this coming weekend is the annual holiday open house in Fairfield. The event is Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. There are a variety of businesses participating and many of them have had a rough year.

But, as we know, it doesn’t stop there. The lack of business turns into a lack of sales taxes which turns into a local governmental problem. The State of Illinois projects a shortfall in the billions of dollars. The leaders did nothing to cut expenses in the last budget because they were banking on federal aid and a new progressive tax. Neither have happened. Illinois continues its decline.

There’s not a whole lot we can do about the state. The leadership made its choices and now will have to deal with the consequences.

We can do something about our local economy. Please, get out this weekend. Wear masks, maintain social distancing..

…and support our local economy.