Homer Glen Won't Enforce New Coronavirus Guidelines: Mayor

HOMER GLEN, IL — As new health restrictions go into effect for Will County, Homer Glen Mayor George Yukich said the village will defer to the state for enforcement of these new guidelines.

"However, the state's phase 4 reopening plans are guidelines and are not local laws or ordinances," Yukich said. "As such, our limited local resources must be devoted to the enforcement of existing ordinances, regulations and laws."

In a statement released Tuesday, Yukich said the new requirements "do not appear to be based on science and seem to be arbitrary."

The health guidelines went into effect for Will and Kankakee counties on Wednesday due to the region's test positivity rate, which is above 8 percent. The guidelines especially impact bars and restaurants, with no more indoor service and an 11 p.m. closing time.

"For example, the mandated closing of all restaurants by 11 p.m. when our residents can simply drive less than one mile to an adjacent town and eat and drink until 2 a.m.," Yukich said. "This arbitrary closing time only serves to hurt our local Homer Glen businesses - with no evidence that it will reduce the positivity rate of our region."

Homer Glen is in Will County but is bordered by towns in Cook County, including Lemont and Orland Park, which have no such restrictions on their businesses.

Yukich also called the restriction on social gatherings "arbitrary" and "unfair." New restrictions limit meetings and social gatherings to 25 guests of 25 percent of overall room capacity, whichever is lower.

"The village and our local businesses continue to be placed in a no-win situation - how to balance the public's health and safety with the dire economic consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic," Yukich said.

You can view the new restrictions for Will and Kankakee counties here.

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