North Cook News

The mayors of Park Ridge and Des Plaines have decreed that all residents are required to wear some kind of face mask or face covering when entering into public places, businesses or stores. 

The mayors said the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases has prompted the new order in an attempt to flatten the curve. 

As of May 18, Illinois reported 94,191 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 4,177 deaths. Cook County has logged 25,997 of those confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,203 deaths.

On April 20, a virtual meeting was held with the municipalities and mayors that discussed the new order. The mayoral orders will put the requirements in place without the approval from the municipalities' elected boards, even though it was already decided by the boards that there would not be a mask order. Many of those elected officials said they will support the new order, especially in places where social distancing can be more of a challenge, such as stores.

At a minimum, non-medical face masks will be required, such as bandanas, homemade masks, handkerchiefs, and scarves. The order requires individuals who are visiting public places and also essential employees to be wearing these face coverings. This order covers all public transportation, including taxis, as well as banks, grocery stores, public places, and other businesses where the public visits.

The order also allows for law enforcement to enforce the orders. If there are residents not following the order, they may be asked to leave public facilities by either employees or police. This order does not require individuals to wear masks while social distancing outside or while they are on walks. 

“I would want to make sure that if we are implementing this, we do as much education as possible to prevent people from calling the police on their neighbors who are out in their yards without masks on,” Park Ridge 1st Ward Alderman John Moran told the Chicago Tribune.

Fourth Ward Alderman Roger Shubert opposes the new order. He believes the only person who should make a change or order such as this is the governor. He believes that this order should be set by the governor and made a statewide order, rather than certain areas. 

While Shubert feels that governors should make these decisions, neighboring Des Plaines Mayor Matthew Bogusz is also proposing an order to require face coverings as well.