Scofflaws who violate social distancing rules may be fined up to $500 under an emergency directive issued by Mayor Jim Langfelder.
Langfelder telegraphed the move at Tuesday’s city council meeting, when he said that the corporation counsel’s office was working on a measure that would be announced today.
Under the measure, police can pursue criminal charges such as reckless conduct or issue tickets with fines not exceeding $500 to people who gather in groups of more than ten, in defiance of a statewide order, or who violate social distancing protocols that call for people to maintain at least six feet between each other. Families who reside at the same residence are exempt.
In an interview, Langfelder said that he expects to issue another order tomorrow addressing concerns about people not exercising appropriate social distancing in stores. Likely, he said, fire inspectors will be called on to make sure stores are taking steps to ensure customers and employees don’t come close enough together that the virus could spread. The order, he said, likely will include the power to issue fines. “I think you have to have that,” he said.
In a press release issued today, the city advised anyone seeing violations of the stay-at-home order to call the police department at 788-8311.
Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso praised the mayor for his latest order authorizing fines.
“I’m thrilled,” DiCenso said. “I think something needed to be said. He got a lot of pressure from the city council last night. We’ve all been inundated with emails and texts about large gatherings.”
DiCenso said she’s fielded calls from constituents concerned about pickup basketball games. Under the statewide order, such games aren’t prohibited unless there are more than ten people present. Given that the mayor’s order allows for civil penalties or charges for violating social-distancing protocols, DiCenso says she believes that basketball players can be ticketed even if fewer than 10 people are present.
“That’s my interpretation,” DiCenso said. “It’s because of these incidents we’re having. I’ve had seven calls about basketball games.”
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin said he believes most people are complying with the stay-at-home order and social-distancing guidelines. “I think this is a way to get people’s attention who need to pay attention,” McMenamin said.
Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Bicycle dreams.
