Coronavirus Risk Is Low: Burr Ridge Mayor

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso recommended Tuesday that the Village Board cancel next Monday's meeting in light of the coronavirus. He also said the risk of coronavirus was low, a statement with which a trustee disagreed.

Village Administrator Doug Pollock emailed trustees late Tuesday afternoon that the mayor was suggesting the cancellation because there was no urgent business. "If any trustee would rather meet, please advise," Pollock said.

Trustee Zach Mottl had suggested allowing telephonic access for the next few meetings to reduce the spread of the virus, noting Gov. J.B. Pritzker had temporarily loosened open meetings requirements. Mottl said canceling the meeting was "appropriate action."

In a statement to the community Tuesday, Grasso said about the coronavirus, "There is need to be concerned — but you should be confident that the risk is low, but there."

Mottl disagreed in an email to Patch, saying, "The risk is low? Is he qualified to say that? I think not and I think he’s wrong."

But the mayor stood by his statement. "I confirmed with the DuPage Board of Health the risk of severe illness remains low," he said in an email to Patch.