Businesses, schools threatened with fines over masks

Pritzker adds teeth to enforcement, bolsters essential workers in pandemic

Gov. Pritzker threatened fines of up to $2,500 for scofflaw businesses that fail to enforce the call to wear masks — including schools and day-care centers. (Illinois.gov)

By Ted Cox

The governor put some teeth into demands to wear a mask in the pandemic Friday, moving to approve fines of up to $2,500 for scofflaw businesses including schools and day-care centers.

In a news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Gov. Pritzker announced new emergency rules under the Department of Public Health that will hold businesses accountable for enforcing the statewide mask order.

“This new rule is focused on businesses, organizations, schools, and child-care facilities,” Pritzker said. Emphasizing that it does not specifically address individuals, it nonetheless puts the onus on businesses in “enforcing the use of face coverings and social-distancing restrictions.”

He pointedly added, “There are businesses that are not doing that. And they need to be reminded and reminded and then fined.”

Violators will receive a written warning, then “an order to have some or all of their patrons leave the premises as needed to comply with public health guidance and reduce risks,” according to a news release issued by the Governor’s Office. Finally, they’d face fines ranging from $75 up to $2,500 for non-compliance.

“This is another step forward for us in enforcement,” Pritzker said, adding, “This is very important for schools.”

Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association, the state’s largest teacher union, immediately embraced the measure, as it will provide some consistency in school regulations even as individual districts are provided leeway in opening for classes or not under the state’s coronavirus guidelines.

“There isn’t anything we want more than to be with our students in school,” Griffin said, “but we want to make sure that that is done safely. We know that in-person learning is best for our students. However, each school district must develop a practical, enforceable safety plan that follows the guidance” from public-health agencies.

“There isn’t anything we want more than to be with our students in school, but we want to make sure that that is done safely.”

IEA President Kathi Griffin (Illinois.gov)

“If a school is not able to implement and follow, support, and enforce these guidelines, you should begin remotely for the safety of our children,” she added. “We want to be with our kids, but we have to do so in a safe manner.”

Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said his members are “breathing a sigh of relief” over the certainty the emergency rule supplies in schools statewide.

Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, also hailed the new rule, calling on patrons to “help us so we can serve you.” He added, “As we say at the Illinois Restaurant Association, covered faces keep open places.”

Labor groups also praised the initiative. Dan Villar, secretary-treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor, called on Illinoisans to “mask up, so we can all stay safe and we can put this pandemic behind us.”

“This is a serious illness,” said state Sen. Ann Gillespie of Arlington Heights, “and we all have to be serious about doing what we can to prevent the spread. … Just do it.”

“This is a make-or-break moment for the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “There is still a greater need to get people to wear masks.”

IDPH reported 2,084 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the state total to 190,508, with 21 additional deaths taking the statewide toll to 7,613. The seven-day positivity rate on testing rose to 4.1 percent. The department also put 13 counties on notice warning of rising infections — up from 11 a week ago — including Cass, Coles, Grundy, Iroquois, Jackson, Monroe, Perry, Saline, St. Clair, Tazewell, Union, Williamson, and Winnebago.

“Illinois has made substantial progress in our fight against COVID-19, because the vast majority of communities and business owners have done the right thing and followed the public health guidance,” Pritzker added. “These rules will help ensure that the minority of people who refuse to act responsibly won’t take our state backward.”

Pritzker also signed a new state law protecting retail workers from physical or verbal assault in calling on customers to wear masks. The law also grants 60 additional days of paid disability leave for firefighters, police officers, and paramedics recovering from COVID-19 infections. It also covers corrections officers and employees at the Prison Review Board and the Department of Human Services.

Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, called such essential workers “heroes on the front lines saving all of us.”