Truck Stops Being Swamped by Tour Buses Still Operating During COVID-19 Pandemic

While Illinois residents have been directed to shelter in place and to stay home during the Coronavirus pandemic, others are either not getting the message, or not heeding it.

Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann said local truck stops are being inundated by tour buses that are still traveling. Niemann said these buses carrying dozens of people are showing up at truck stops that are unable to handle the influx of people, much less adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Niemann Thursday said he has been talking with St. Sen. Jason Plummer, and that Plummer is working on the issue. Niemann said he will also be a part of a conference call with Gov. Pritzker Friday and he plans to share the problem in hopes Pritzker can do something about it.

Niemann said, personally, he's taken aback that people are getting on a tour bus in times like these.

The problem is magnified by the volume of truckers that come through Effingham who have to stay on the roads to deliver their goods.