Ready to Eat in IL Quad City Restaurants? We Can Now.

Is it possible life is slowly returning to normal again?

Region 1 including Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside and Lee counties has met the requirements to enter tier one, and joins Region 2 which includes Rock Island, Henry, Henderson, Knox, Mercer, Warren, and Bureau counties allowing for indoor bar and dining.

What does that mean for the Quad Cities? It means it's time to go out and eat and show QCA businesses some love. They've been mostly closed for the past three months.

Illinois Department of Public Health leaders say we can now enter tier one, which allows bars and restaurants to be open until 11pm and then then can reopen the next day at 6 am. Get a complete list of rules here but here are just a few of the new changes:

• Tables 6 feet apart
• A max of four people per table
• Bars must serve food to be open

Now here's just a friendly reminder, it's important to protect yourself, and those around you. Keep taking simple steps like wearing a mask, social distancing, covering your mouth when you cough, washing your hands frequently, and using hand sanitizer. It's a good thing.

You can go out and be social here, but keep in mind the Chicago area remains closed. Fingers crossed we can hope to have a better spring and summer if we can all be smart and responsible.

We all have people we know in the Quad Cities who own, manage, cook, wait tables, and serve you your favorite food and adult beverage. Support our local Quad City restaurants, bars and dining establishments. They've been hurting for a while, so go safely, spend money, and tip well.

Some area restaurants didn't get much notice about the change in restrictions, so it may take some of your favorite places a little while to get back to normal. Call first before you head out or check their websites and social media to get the latest updates.