Kane County Reporter

Movies on the big screen, indoor performances and up to 10 people at a table in restaurants are allowed once again after Kane and DuPage counties moved into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

The lifted restrictions came after Region 8's COVID-19 positivity rate dropped under 6.5% for three straight days.

Outdoor venues can fill 20% of their seats, and the maximum number of people allowed at gatherings doubled to 50.

Nothing changes for retailers and service providers, which still have capacity capped at 50% with mandatory masks.

Phase 4 has the least amount of restrictions under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's plan to reopen the state following the initial shutdowns enacted in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The local Patch website reported at the end of last year that Pritzker hinted it was unlikely the state would move to Phase 5 until enough people in Illinois are fully vaccinated. Phase 5 would permit festivals and other large events to take place once again.

Data released by state public health officials earlier this month showed 7,000 Kane County residents and 227,000 people statewide received both vaccine doses.

The Kane County Health Department has created a website to help residents eligible to receive the vaccine find appointments.

The goal is to make it easier for people to find a place to receive the high-demand shot with a limited supply. Seventy-five thousand people in Kane County and 3.2 million statewide, including those over the age of 65, teachers, first responders, grocery store employees, factory workers, farmers and inmates, are now eligible to receive the vaccination as part of Phase 1B of the distribution plan.

The department is also working with several agencies to help senior citizens who have trouble using technology.