•June 10, 2020•
By Ann Wheeler
NP Guest Columnist

When driving around Sullivan, I see the signs that support opening businesses in Moultrie County and those berating Gov. Pritzker for sucking the life out of these same businesses due to his shelter-in- place order.
I assume that people who put these signs in their yards are concerned about the local businesses that have had to temporarily close or require safe protocols because of the COVID 19 virus.
Such concern is understandable as small businesses are the lifeblood of towns like Sullivan, Lovington, and Bethany.
Having grown up in Sullivan, I have watched shops and businesses close, leaving storefronts empty and buildings vacant. This loss of small businesses, however, had nothing to do with the actions of any governor, be he Republican or Democrat. More than a few of them closed because they were not supported by the community.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.