The Sentinel: Retail Business

Business |
Restaurants, retailers face growing number of "friendly fraud" transactions

Friendly fraud presents a real and persistent challenge for modern businesses. Here's how businesses can protect themselves against this new deceptive practice.

by Ben Robertson
The Sentinel

In an increasingly digital economy, one type of fraud is becoming a growing concern for businesses of all sizes—"friendly" fraud. Though the name suggests harmless intent, the impact can be anything but. For merchants, chargebacks can lead to lost revenue, extra fees, and strained relationships with payment processors. Fortunately, there are practical steps businesses can take to protect themselves.

Friendly fraud was first observed back in 2010. Before then, chargebacks categorized under fraud reason codes were generally rare and almost always indicative of genuine card fraud. Mastercard says: "Friendly fraud costs merchants over $132 billion a year – and that amount does not include the additional losses merchants absorb, like the loss of goods or services they ultimately refund."

Understanding Friendly Fraud

Friendly fraud occurs when a customer makes a purchase using their credit or debit card and later disputes the transaction with their bank. The reasons for these chargebacks vary—some claim they never received the product, others say they didn’t authorize the transaction, and some simply don’t recognize the charge.

Sometimes these disputes are the result of misunderstandings. A child may have made the purchase, or the buyer might not recognize the business name on their bank statement. But in many cases, the customer did receive the goods or services and is intentionally abusing the chargeback system.

According to WAND-TV, restaurants in particular have seen a noticeable spike in friendly fraud over the past three months. This is especially costly in an industry where margins are already thin.

"When this occurs, the restaurant is responsible for the original charge, and a chargeback fee,” WAND-TV reported. “Additionally, if there are enough chargebacks, businesses’ credit card processing fees increase for every order.”

Rick Carbaugh, General Manager of Sun Singer Restaurant in Champaign, told WAND-TV that his business has been hit hard in early 2025.

For merchants, the financial damage from friendly fraud extends beyond the lost sale.

“Ever since January, Sun Singer Restaurant has lost about $1,100 in chargebacks,” Carbaugh said. “We've had 11 chargebacks since January, which for comparison's sake, between 2021 and 2024, we had four chargebacks total.”

Carbaugh noted that most of the recent disputes stemmed from deliveries to student housing. Customers would often provide inaccurate phone numbers or email addresses, preventing the restaurant from contacting them. As a result, Sun Singer was forced to stop offering online payment and delivery altogether.

The Cost to Businesses

For merchants, the financial damage from friendly fraud extends beyond the lost sale. Businesses are often required to pay a chargeback fee, which can range from $20 to $100 per transaction. Too many chargebacks can raise red flags with credit card processors, potentially leading to higher processing fees—or even termination of merchant services.

According to industry data, friendly fraud accounts for a significant portion of all chargebacks. As e-commerce grows, the opportunities for this type of abuse increase.

Prevention Starts with Clarity

One of the most effective ways to reduce friendly fraud is to ensure that the customer clearly understands what they’re buying and who they’re buying from. Here’s how businesses can improve transparency:

Use recognizable billing descriptors.
Many chargebacks result from customers not recognizing a company name on their credit card statement. Businesses should make sure their billing descriptor matches their brand or website name as closely as possible.
Clearly outline refund and return policies.
Policies should be easy to find and written in plain language. Businesses that offer refunds or exchanges reduce the customer’s incentive to file a chargeback out of frustration.
Provide order confirmation and shipping details.
Sending automatic confirmation emails and tracking information can help prove that a purchase was authorized and fulfilled.

Strengthen Internal Documentation

If a chargeback is initiated, having proper documentation on hand gives merchants a better chance of successfully disputing it. Key documents include:

Signed receipts or order confirmations
Proof of delivery, such as tracking numbers or delivery confirmation
Screenshots of product descriptions and terms at the time of sale
Communication logs with the customer

For digital goods and services, which are harder to prove as “delivered,” businesses should log IP addresses, account access, download timestamps, or user activity when possible.

Use Payment and Fraud Protection Tools

Technology can also play a vital role in preventing friendly fraud. Most payment processors offer tools for flagging suspicious transactions or verifying cardholder identity. Some of these include:

Address Verification System (AVS)
CVV verification
3D Secure authentication (e.g., Verified by Visa)

While these measures don’t prevent all chargebacks, they demonstrate due diligence on the part of the merchant and may be considered favorably during a dispute.

Stay Proactive and Respond Quickly

When a chargeback is filed, time is critical. Businesses should respond promptly and provide clear, concise evidence to support their case. It’s also helpful to monitor chargeback patterns. If a particular product, region, or customer profile seems to generate more disputes, it may be worth adjusting how those transactions are handled.

Friendly fraud presents a real and persistent challenge for modern businesses. While no system is foolproof, a layered approach that combines transparency, documentation, and technology can significantly reduce the risk.

New Asian supermarket, H Mart in Urbana set to open tomorrow

New H Mart at 220 N. Broadway in Urbana set to open on Thursday at 10 a.m.

Photo: oursentinel.com

URBANA - H Mart, America's largest Asian supermarket chain, will open its first downstate Illinois location Wednesday in downtown Urbana, marking a significant expansion beyond its Chicago-area presence.

The 32,000-square-foot store at 220 N. Broadway Ave. will celebrate its grand opening with traditional festivities beginning at 9:50 a.m., including a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Korean dance performance and Lion Dance.

The store represents H Mart's sixth location in Illinois and brings authentic Asian grocery options to the diverse Champaign-Urbana community. The new location occupies a renovated former Save-A-Lot building, demonstrating the company's commitment to adaptive reuse.

"H Mart is excited to bring an authentic taste of Asia to your neighborhood," said H Mart President Brian Kwon in a statement. "Our market is all about celebrating the richness and variety of Asian cuisine, making it easier than ever to find the flavors you love, right here at home."

The store features the "Market Eatery" food court, offering various Asian cuisines in a sit-down dining environment. Shoppers will find extensive selections of packaged good, Asian produce, seafood, meats and Asian specialty items.

Opening day shoppers can participate in several promotions, including free gifts for purchases over $50 and complimentary reusable shopping bags with $30 purchases. New members joining the H Mart Smart Rewards Card program will receive a free thermos mug cup and 2025 calendar.

Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin welcomed the investment, noting the store's potential impact on downtown vitality and job creation.

"Our diverse community is excited to shop the full line of Asian and American groceries, meats, seafood, produce, housewares and ready-made meals," Marlin said.

The store will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including holidays. Opening day promotions include free gifts for purchases over $50 and reusable shopping bags for purchases exceeding $30, while supplies last.

Founded in 1982 in Queens, New York, H-Mart as grown to more than 100 stores across 18 states. The Urbana location marks the chain's sixth Illinois store and its first venture outside the Chicago metropolitan area.

Photo Gallery |
A look at Thursday's Night Market at Lincoln Square

Lane To, from Champaign, browses buttons and pins at a booth at last week's Night Market at Lincoln Square Mall. Held at the mall's southwest parking lot near Vine Street, the market offers more than two dozen booths of vendors offering chocolates, flavored popcorn, homemade household goods, and handmade art. Every Thursday until October 10, the market also hosts several food trucks and live entertainment starting at 7 pm. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

LaRisha "RiRi" Exum-Howard, owner of RiPoppedIt, finishes a sale at her booth last Thursday. RiRi creates "Bougie" flavored popcorn for special events and parties. Customers can choose unique flavors such as Cotton Candy, Lemon Pound Cake, Red Velvet and a dozen more made at her store at 2004 S. Neil St. in Champaign. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

Artist Dan Wild, from Champaign, draws a group caricature for a family. Wild, Art Director at Adams Outdoor, is a talented illustrator, graphic designer and caricaturist. At last Thursday's Night Market, he drew portraits at no charge for marketgoers who would pose for two minutes at his booth. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

Local punk rockers Pancr8s performs in their opening set last Thursday. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

Lead singer and songwriter Simona performs with Pancr8s, a local punk rock band. This week's Night Market at Lincoln Square Mall entertainment features the duo Bourema Ouedraogo and Jason Finkelman. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

Hundreds of shoppers peruse the vendor booths at last Thursday's event. Tonight market starts at 6 pm with live entertainment starting at 7 pm. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

Maria Ayala, owner of Pueblito Nature, explains the origins of her Columbian Chocolate with customers last Thursday at her booth. Pueblito chocolate is created in small batches to feature the unique taste from the different growers in rural Columbia. Ayala and her booth will be at tonight's installment of the Night Market at Lincoln Square. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

A short line of marketgoers order drinks at Keke’s Mobile Beverage Trailer. Keke's offers fresh, handsqueezed lemonade, limeade, and teas, each that can be customized to taste with a dozen different flavorings. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

A shopper closely inspects a set of handcrafted earrings from one of the many vendors last Thursday. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

A couple enjoys a quiet moment away from the music in the parking lot a few steps away from the market area. Bourema Ouedraogo and Jason Finkelman are headlining this evening's live entertainment starting at 7 pm. (Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks)

Building an app can help you grow your business, here's how to do it right

Photo: relexahotels/Pixabay

StatePoint - In today’s world, apps are crucial for business growth and customer experience. They enable shopping, appointment setting and customer service interactions. In fact, around three-quarters of U.S. adults say they buy things online using a smartphone, according to Pew Research, which means if you don’t have an app for your business, you’re leaving money on the table. However, if building one sounds daunting, experts say there is good news -- artificial intelligence can help.

“AI enhances app development through code generation, chatbots, process optimization, content creation, user stories and prototype generation. Anyone, even with little to no experience, can quickly and cost-effectively develop an app using AI,” says Sachin Dev Duggal, founder and chief wizard at Builder.ai, an AI-powered composable software platform that allows every business and entrepreneur to become digitally powered.

Despite the relative ease of developing an app harnessing today’s AI tech, it’s nevertheless important to get your app right. With over 77% of users uninstalling an app within the first three days after download, according to WifiTalents, you’ll want to ensure your app provides your users with real value.

So, before building your app, first consider how it will help customers, and how it will help you solve your short- and long-term business objectives. Asking yourself these questions can give you clarity on the type of app you need, how you will fund and maintain your app, and how it will function.

When you are ready to begin development, here are the benefits you can anticipate by using AI to meet your objectives:

Rapid development: AI-driven platforms significantly reduce development time.
Unlimited customizations: AI app development platforms offer pre-built, customizable modules.
High performance: AI creates high-performance apps with fast load times and smooth user experiences.
Cost efficiency: AI reduces the need for extensive developer hiring, lowering costs.
Error reduction: Around 66% of software projects fail. The primary cause? Human error.
Seamless articulation: New AI technology allows you to speak directly with the development platform, enabling you to convey your ideas and instructions effortlessly, making app development more intuitive and efficient.

So, how do you actually use AI to build your app? In the case of Builder.ai, it’s as simple as following these simple steps:

1. Choose and customize a base template.
2. Review and finalize features.
3. Identify the app’s platform (Android, iOS, desktop) and build a timeline.
4. Establish a payment plan.
5. Match with a product expert for guidance.
6. Review and monitor the app’s progress.
7. Launch your app.
8. Leverage data from your app to optimize business.

To learn more about developing your app with Builder.ai, visit https://www.builder.ai/.

“AI automates repetitive tasks, code generation, bug detection and testing, resulting in shorter development cycles and reduced costs while maintaining high quality. By giving everyone, regardless of their tech knowledge the power to build applications, we’re removing the barriers that have traditionally stopped individuals and business owners from unlocking their potential,” says Duggal.

Guest Commentary | Walmart can't take the losses, retailer closing stores around the country

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall. This principle applies to us all, even Walmart.

Walmart has been the largest company in the world by revenue since 2014, but they are closing 20 stores this year. Is your town on this list? Most likely, you hope not as most Americans shop Walmart at least occasionally. For many it’s their go to destination weekly for groceries, electronics and much more.

Here are the latest store closings provided by Yahoo.com:

Arkansas:
3701 SE Dodson Road, Bentonville
(Pick-up only concept)

DC:
99 H Street NW, Washington

Georgia:
1801 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta
835 M.L.K. Jr Dr NW, Atlanta

Florida:
6900 US Highway 19 North, Pinellas Park
(Neighborhood Market concept)

Hawaii:
1032 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu

Illinois:
17550 South Halsted St, Homewood
12690 S. Route 59, Plainfield
840 N. McCormick Blvd, Lincolnwood
1511 Camp Jackson Road, Cahokia
8431 S. Stewart Ave, Chicago
4720 S. Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago
2844 N. Broadway, Chicago
2551 W. Cermak Road, Chicago

Indiana:
3701 Portage Road, South Bend

Minnesota:
1200 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center

New Mexico:
301 San Mateo Blvd. SE, Albuquerque

Oregon:
4200 82nd Ave. SE, Portland
1123 N Hayden Meadows Dr., Portland

Texas:
24919 Westheimer Pkwy, Katy (Neighborhood Market concept)

Washington:
11400 Hwy. 99, Everett

Wisconsin:
10330 W. Silver Spring Dr, Milwaukee

Walmart plans to close half of its stores in Chicago. This is a reversal of the retail giant’s high-profile commitment in 2020 to expand in the city as part of its corporate racial justice initiative.

Walmart recently announced that it will close four poor-performing stores out of the eight it operates in Chicago. Three of the locations are located in Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods, which are predominantly minority and have long struggled with grocery and retail access. One of the stores is in Chicago’s North Side, which is predominantly White and more affluent.

The announcement comes after Walmart highlighted its efforts in Chicago as a “critical part” of its broader $100 million pledge to advancing racial equity in 2020. (CNN)

Walmart said the closings are due to a lack of profits, theft and security issues. (CHICAGO (WLS)

Walmart is not the United States government. They can’t keep pumping money into a store or city that is losing millions of dollars every year. Walmart is a business that has become the largest company in the world by making a profit. Communities who steal more from their Walmart or any store, than they pay for at the register can most likely expect to see their store closed.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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7 big mistakes small businesses can't afford to make

Photo: David McBee/PEXELS

by Courtney Rosenfeld

Running a small business often means wearing many hats. From accounting to marketing and everything in between, it can be difficult to know all the ins and outs and to always make the right decision. Here are seven mistakes to avoid in order to turn your new venture into a big success.

No Business Structure

When you start as a solopreneur, you may be tempted to forgo all the legalese and just work on launching your product on the market. But not choosing the right business structure and not registering as the right business entity can end up hurting you in the long run.

For example, When it comes to incorporating a business, there are two main options: an S corporation (S corp) or a C corporation (C corp). You need to understand the S Corp vs C Corp pros and cons, so it's important to do your research before making a decision.

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/PEXELS

One key difference between the two is that an S corp has pass-through taxation, meaning that profits and losses are passed directly to the shareholders, who then report them on their personal tax returns. A C corp, on the other hand, is taxed separately from its owners. Another notable difference is that an S corp is limited to 100 shareholders, while a C corp can have an unlimited number of shareholders. This can be important if you're planning on expanding your business in the future. When it comes to raising capital, a C corp has an advantage because it can sell shares to the public. However, this also means that there is more paperwork.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between an S corp and a C corp. It depends on your specific business needs and goals.

No Business Budget

For small businesses, keeping track of where the money is coming and going is critical. It will help you separate your personal and company finances, see how much your company is making, and establish what your fixed and variable costs are. Without a budget, you can’t set spending goals or run financial projections to attract potential investors or partners, which will hinder business growth.

No Marketing Plan

So you have a great product, but what good is it if no one hears about it? Without a strong advertising and marketing plan in place, you won’t be able to reach out to your target audience and ultimately generate sales. Failing to do some market research, analyzing what your competition is doing, and forecasting industry trends will prevent you from creating effective ad campaigns that will resonate with potential customers.

No Social Media Presence

It’s not just the kids doing it anymore; in today’s digital world, every business is online, posting content and engaging their followers on various platforms. This is where you showcase your brand and create sales funnels. You can also use social media to join groups and share your expertise, putting yourself out there for all the world to see. Keeping your content useful, relevant, and timely will also help you gain more customers.

No SMART Goals

Setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals will help you steer your business in the right direction. Without SMART goals, you won’t be able to clearly see the end result, and you’ll be left wondering if your company is performing the way it should. Short-term goals are great to help you stay on track and motivated so that you can reach your long-term goals and turn your budding company into a big success.

No Legal Guidance

You may be a do-it-yourselfer in most areas of your life, but when it comes to your business, make sure you consult with experts and professionals to avoid costly fines and penalties. Not filing the proper paperwork with the state, or failing to register your business and paying the fees and taxes required to be in compliance, could lead to huge penalties and even put your company under. Consulting a business attorney may cost you upfront, but their expertise will definitely spare you troubles later on.

No Time for Fun

As excited as you may be to launch your own venture, make sure to carve out time for self-care once in a while. Too many entrepreneurs end up suffering from burnout because they don’t think they can afford a day off. But in order to refuel and spark your creative juices, you need to step out of the office and enjoy some downtime once in a while.

Owning your own business can bring you great freedom, but make sure you avoid pitfalls and take the necessary steps to keep it successful. Don’t hesitate to get expert advice, and hire professionals to fill in potential gaps. Your company will keep thriving, and you’ll enjoy running it.

Courtney Rosenfeld started Gig Spark to be a resource and the first step for people who are looking to join the gig economy, either to supplement their income or as a way to fulfill their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.

Guest Commentary: Can you imagine what it would be like if American truckers went strike?

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Grocery store shelves are not like they used to be. Before the pandemic there was plenty of whatever we typically wanted. It’s not like that today.

Car dealerships have changed. Before the pandemic most dealers had plenty of new and used cars to sell. We were accustomed to browsing several lots as we shopped and compared models and prices. It’s not like that today.

When you needed your car fixed, parts were readily available or just an overnight order away. Today, you might wait three or four months for a part.

I recently looked into adding an additional heating unit to my house and was told, "Order it now and you might have it by summer."

A friend of mine ordered a small boat last August with the hopes he will have it by May or June this year, maybe.

The pandemic has changed our lives in more ways than sickness and death. The new normal is having to wait longer on what used to be so available.

If you think America’s products, food and merchandise are difficult to get now, then can you imagine if our American truckers all went on strike?

Canadian truckers have recently blocked the flow of goods into the United States. The protest follows rallies over opposition to COVID-19 mandates in cities across Canada. In a show of solidarity with a demonstration in Ottawa that has gone on for more than a week by the so-called Freedom Truck Convoy. The protests have paralyzed the Canadian capital’s business district and led the mayor to call for 2,000 extra police officers to quell the nightly demonstrations.

Several people involved in the protest Tuesday in Canada said the demonstrations had expanded from its original purpose, opposing mandates for cross-border truck drivers, and were there in opposition to all vaccine mandates, in addition to supporting truck drivers, the Windsor Star reported.

"Any delay or disruption in the supply chain creates problems, not just for agriculture but the state economy," said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, which represents businesses that support farmers, early in the closure.

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, which represents the Detroit Three automakers, called for an end to the protest, citing its effect on the country’s economy. (NNY.360.com)

If the American truckers stopped driving today, the grocery stores would dry up and the movement of most everything you would want or need would not be available.

Truckers work hard. They have long hours. They sacrifice a lot by being gone so many hours, days and weeks. They deserve whatever they are paid and I’m sure in many cases are deserving of more. However, to our truckers, I have this request, please help us keep this country moving. We have enough problems in this country. A shut-down of any kind by America’s truckers would create severe hardship on the people everywhere in America.

We respect you. We appreciate you. We need you to keep this country moving. Furthermore, God bless you for what you do.

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St. Joseph businesses robbed

ST. JOSEPH -- Salon 192, Geschenk Coffee, Cafe & Gifts, and Country Chics were burglarized early Tuesday morning. The break-ins are still under investigation.

If you have any information to help solve these crimes, contact the Champaign County Sheriff at 217-384-1213. If you would like to stay anonymous, contact by phone at Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 or online at 373tips.com.

Commentary: It's been a year now, when we do get back to normal

by Hilary Gowins, Vice President of Communications
Illinois Policy

Most people have spent the past year wondering if and when we’ll get back to normal.

Denetta Flamingo is busy dealing with a new normal. It’s one that cost her the home where she raised her children. It’s taken other assets. Those sacrifices have kept her small business alive.

Still, the dream she invested everything in – Ottawa Nautilus Fit24, a gym in Ottawa, Illinois – is up for sale.

"I’m doing the best I can," she said. "Today I’m at the gym and a regular customer who had not been here since March of last year came in. Everyone was in tears. He has M.S. and came in for me to fix his phone and feel the gym out with the new rules. Although I have stayed in touch with him and many others that still haven’t returned, just having him here and seeing him to make sure he was OK means so much. We are a family – new members and old members. We help each other, whether it’s fixing a phone or just lifting each other’s spirits."

The weight of COVID-19 mitigation crushed the small business sector in Illinois. Owners like Denetta Flamingo sold off equipment and other assets to try and remain solvent.

Photo by Victor Freitas/Unsplash

Nautilus Fit24 has been in business since 1974. Denetta began working at the gym in 2009 and purchased it in 2014 when the previous owner left Illinois.

"How can you let a business that’s been around that long go under?" Denetta said. She’s fighting to keep the gym open, even if that means it’s under new ownership. "A new owner will have the funds to bring this gym back to its prime."

Continuing to fight means struggling. Denetta has been steadily selling off equipment and personal items during the pandemic just to pay her bills. She ultimately had to leverage the equity on her home of 30 years by selling it to keep the business open. She was denied state grant money. She wasn’t eligible for federal Paycheck Protection Program money, either.

There’s a hole in Illinois’ economy. Denetta has been trying to fill her portion with heart and hard work.

Over 11,200 retailers in Illinois were forced to close up shop last year.

Small shops were hit the hardest – 35% of small businesses have closed in Illinois as of March 3, compared to Jan. 1, 2020, according to data from The Opportunity Insights Tracker.

Those retailers represent jobs on a large scale – small businesses have traditionally created the majority of new jobs each year in Illinois. And the loss of these businesses carries worrisome implications for the state’s workforce and its economic recovery more broadly.

So what happens next? How many of the small businesses left standing will survive in the long run?

The short answer is, 2021 will still be a grind.

"With each day that [the government] lets us open up, it is looking better and the weather has been very cooperative," said Kristan Vaughan, who operates Vaughan Hospitality Group, with six Irish pubs across the Chicago area.

It used to be seven pubs.

"We closed one location permanently and are maximizing PPP and Employee Retention Credit, but Illinois still tries to beat the small business when they are down with the property taxes, fee hikes and more," she said.

Those cost burdens are what Illinois needs to get under control. Otherwise, any bounce-back small businesses make will be hindered and likely continue to lag the rest of the Midwest. In Illinois the leisure and entertainment industry, which includes restaurants, lost jobs 61% faster during 2020 than the nation as a whole.

These numbers are a huge problem for Illinois: the people who live and work here, as well as the politicians tasked with running the state. Small businesses are the main job providers in the state – 69% of all new jobs created in Illinois come from firms with fewer than 20 employees.

The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses. So did low-income families – 36% of workers in households earning less than $40,000 lost jobs.

COVID-19 is the reason for devastation of this magnitude. But it’s important to acknowledge that Illinois had been lagging the rest of the country for years on economic gains and opportunities for the people who call the state home, as well as for the people who used to call it home.

If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got. If Illinois doesn’t change, it’ll mean more public debt: which drives higher taxes, a decline in services and more people leaving. It’ll also make the odds even longer for business owners trying to survive.

Hilary Gowins is vice president of communications at the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization that promotes responsible government and free market principles.

On the fence about getting vaccinated? You might not have a choice

With at least two Coronavirus vaccines available on the near horizon, many Americans may face a new dilemma in the way of a mandated Coronavirus vaccination.

Just as in Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country, General Chang asks, "To be or not to be? That is the question which preoccupies our people...", to vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question that will occupy the minds of millions of Americans, especially those who feel the process to create and supply the COVID-19 to the population was too hurried or those who feel their personal liberty will be infringed upon if mandated by the government to take it.

Unlike Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam, all countries that have successfully lowered their Coronavirus positivity rates without the need of a pharmaceutical solution, the United States and European nations are banking on vaccinating most of the population in order to attain herd immunity. According to experts, the U.S. will need about 70% of the population vaccinated in order to effectively put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Gallup poll completed between October 19 and November 1, 58% of Americans who responded said they would be vaccinated before Moderna and Pfizer released their preliminary results. The survey suggested that about four in 10 respondents to the most recent survey said they would not.

The Gallup results were nearly identical to The Sentinel's online poll where 38% of the respondents said would not be vaccinated as well. Polls completed by PEW also reflect the same level enthusiasm.

Fortunately for politicians, they will not have to create and vote on legislation that could endanger their political careers. Instead, the government can get the job done by proxy through the workforce.

In most cases, employers can, and most likely will in the months ahead, legally require employees to vaccinated as a condition of employment. Spearheaded by brick-and-mortar business and educational institutions, who desperately want to return to pre-pandemic profitability, an immunized workforce is paramount to make up for losses over the past nine months, to protect employees' and customers' health, reduce the likelihood of transmission on the job and a return to normalcy.

There might be a little wiggle room for those adamant about not getting a shot or two according to Michael LeRoy, an expert in labor law and labor relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

"This area holds some possibilities for vaccine objectors," he told the University of Illinois News Bureau. "However, it’s not as simple as saying, “I won’t vaccinate because of my religion.” The burden of proof is on the employee to show how their religious belief is violated."

The conundrum ahead is similar to that of Hamlet, who at the beginning of Act 3 of the Shakespearean play, contemplated death while lamenting over the suffering and unfairness of life.

"To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep;"

Could being unvaccinated be a far more unpleasant choice?

Local business: The Sentinel wants help your holiday sales

Are you a local small business owner looking to increase your holiday sales during this holiday season? Let the Sentinel help. Starting Monday we are creating a local gift guide for shoppers who live in the communities we serve.

Did you know nearly two-thirds of shoppers are looking for curated gift lists online? Yeah, neither did we until we started doing the research on how to create a successful guide for our readers.

The Sentinel Holiday Gift Guide is designed to increase the visibility of your business and products. We want to help as many small businesses that we can ring in some extra sales over the next three weeks. Here's another fact: Gift guides are shown to more than double conversion rates and increase engagement by 76% especially for online retailers.

Like other small business ventures, the pandemic has kicked our virtual news tushy. With over 500 readers a day and plenty of time on our hands, we figure we can lend a helping hand to area small business with lots of free publicity. Sixty-six percent of holiday buyers plan to shop more at locally this holiday season and we want to make it easy for them by shining a light on products and services from area small businesses.

So what is this going to cost to be featured? Nothing. Zilch. Nada. We are looking highlight and share awesome gift ideas to our readers. Hopefully, our guide will keep people buying local and rebuild the local economy.

If you have a product or service you would like featured in the gift guide, simply copy the section below, paste it into a new email message to and advertising@oursentinel.com after you have answered the questions. Owners are welcome to submit as many items as they wish. We will select only one item every seven days to feature.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to email us at advertising@oursentinel.com or call 217.778.2197.

Name of Business:

Contact Name: Contact Phone Number:

Website Address:

Link to featured item on your website:

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ViewPoint | Tip your mask - what's the point of wearing one?

WAND-17 aired a story with headline Public asked to 'tip your mask' when entering stores to shop on April 29.

The article states that "All Illinois shoppers out and about during the pandemic are asked to tip their masks in order to avoid confusion and anxiety between the public and business owners."

The idea behind "mask tipping", which is about as dumb as cow tipping, but not nearly as consequential, is when you enter an establishment reach up and pull down your mask so the clerk can briefly see your face.

Why tip? According to the article, "People are asked to slightly lower their mask and briefly show their faces when they enter a store to let employees know they are simply there to shop."

This is some kind of stupid.

I don't know about you but from where I sit, I am far more concerned with being heavily sedated and having a ventilator tube crammed down my throat for four days or longer than I am about being robbed while working behind a counter.

At this point, I believe the odds of contracting the Coronavirus is higher than being robbed in the course of one business day. Plus, the survival rate of an armed robbery is much higher than the 20% figure for that of incubated COVID patients.

Just before surgery, should we now ask the operating staff to pull down their masks so you know they are there simply to cut you open and take out your tonsils, add a cup size, or perform that biopsy scheduled weeks ago? If you don't see their faces, how do you know someone in the room isn't going to harvest your kidney or a lung to sell on the black market? How do you know?

We don't. It is a matter of trust.

If I'm a clerk behind a counter, I don't think that seeing a customer walk in and flash their pearly whites is a guarantee they aren't going to pull out a chrome .45, take the money from the till and I wind up dead.

Mask tipping defeats the entire public health purpose of wearing a mask. The stop gap public policy by design is to lower the volume of active virus material in an environment, thus making an infection from a high communicable pathogen harder to get until a cure or treatment protocol is established is in place. This is what makes mask tipping a stupid idea.

Unless you haven't been paying attention from the back of the class, it takes a special kind of stupid to ask patrons to enter your establishment after touching a likely contaminated door handle with gloves that likely already carrying viral material and then ask them to put their hand on their mask to pull it down. In the process, the customer is transferring active virus cells to an area near their face all the while either inhaling or exhaling contributing to the existing volume.

If shop owners and managers want customers to tip their mask, hopefully they will be courteous enough to put signs on their door politely asking customers enter their establishment to do so.

That way, those of us who are concerned more about our own health and the well-being of our neighbors can just pass them by. I would rather spend my money for goods and services at a business that reflects a commitment to public health and works to help keep our community safe.

Governor okays the opening of non-essential businesses, many can reopen on May 1

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced today that he will extend the state's stay-at-home order set to expire on April 30 until the end of May. The extension did however come with a relaxation in a few restrictions.

"Make no mistake, Illinois has saved lives. By staying home and social distancing, we have kept our infection and death rates for the months of March and April thousands below the rates projected had we not implemented these mitigation strategies," Gov. Pritzker said.

The number of confirmed cases in Champaign County is at an even 100 patients. Seventy-nine people have recovered and five members of the community have died as a result of the CV-19 virus. As of today the Champaign-Urbana Public Health reports there are 16 active cases in the community.

"I know how badly we all want our normal lives back. But this is the part where we have to dig in and understand that the sacrifices we’ve made as a state to avoid a worst-case scenario are working — and we need to keep going a little while longer to finish the job," Gov. Pritzker said in his briefing today.

"If we lifted the stay at home order tomorrow, we would see our deaths per day shoot up into the thousands by the end of May. And, that would last well into the summer."

The modified order includes increased flexibility for residents and non-essential businesses, and will require face coverings to be worn while in public. According to a statement from Gov. Pritzker, the new executive order will include more flexibility provisions for many non-essential businesses to get back on their feet.

Here are some of the changes:

OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased re-opening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website HERE. Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.

NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also re-open.

NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.

FACE COVERINGS: Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers.

SCHOOLS: Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.

Statewide, Illinois reported 1,826 new cases and another 123 deaths from coronavirus today. There have been 36,934 patients who have tested positive for coronavirus in Illinois, including 1,688 lives lost due the viral infection.