MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (WJPF) — The Jackson County Board has approved a resolution that gives the county health department the ability to enforce COVID-19 restrictions.

The new rule, which allows the health department to issue fines for every day an establishment is found to be in non-compliance, takes effect January 1, 2021.

Law enforcement agencies and state’s attorneys across Illinois have been saying for months that there was no way to enforce the governor’s mitigation efforts because no law was passed at the state level.

Newly-elected Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez says he’ll take on each instance of non-compliance on a case-by-case basis.

The board also voted to waive county liquor license fees for 2021, but only for businesses that follow public health guidelines.