Rockford-Area Haunted Houses Will Operate Despite Recommendations
UPDATE: Hoppers Haunted House has confirmed they too are operating with a state issued permit.
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Do not misinterpret the headline, this is not rebellious action.
Earlier this week Illinois Department of Public Health released a "Halloween Guidance" report outlining trick-or-treating, Halloween party, haunted house, and hayrides recommendations.
... consider open-air, one-way haunted forests or haunted walks where social distancing of 6 feet or greater and appropriate masking is enforced. If screaming is anticipated, even greater social distancing is advised to lower the risk of spreading respiratory viruses.
But, despite those instructions, they have failed to recall issues permits to at least one haunted house in the Rockford-area.
Halloween haunted houses are currently not allowed in Restore Illinois Phase 4 Guidelines.
Two haunted houses have made it known they will indeed operate this season. Before anyone who thinks this is "so wrong" races to drop a comment, at least one of these Halloween attractions is technically permitted to operate. Those two haunted houses, by the way, are Northern Illinois Fear Fest in South Beloit and Hoppers Haunted House in southwest Rockford.
Northern Illinois Fear Fest has made it known they were the green light to operate.
The State of Illinois issued us a permit last week. The Locals don't have the authority to shut us down.
Hoppers Haunted House has not indicated they have a permit to operate but it is likely the long-running attraction was also approved.
Each attraction will honor social distancing and require masks.
https://www.facebook.com/HoppersHouse/
Also, Haunted Illinois has shared a list of OPEN attractions.
JB Love is ½ of Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.