Naperville Residents Sound Off On Mayor's Wish To Reopen Economy

NAPERVILLE, IL — When it comes to the new coronavirus stay-at-home order, some Naperville residents support it, whereas others are long over it. The feedback comes after Mayor Steve Chirico said in a Facebook post last week, "We need to begin opening up our economy May 1."

The post, shared on Chirico's personal Facebook page and not in a political setting, came before Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order into May. Nonetheless, Chirico's comments still managed to elicit a passionate response from some Naperville residents.

We Need To Begin Opening Up Our Economy May 1: Mayor Chirico

When Patch shared an article about Chirico's comments on its Naperville Patch Facebook page, one Facebook user commented, "I'm just going to say we will all die! No one knows who could die from it and who lives. Opening the economy will mean it’s more likely that you could die from it... so yes we are all going to die from it! Stay at home!"

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Another user wrote, "Not until our health is safe. Health and wellness of your residents Mr. Mayor Chirico should be your top priority."

Some residents sounded off to show their support of Chirico's comments. One wrote, "My kind of mayor." Another wrote, "Agreed! Open up. If you want to stay home, stay home."

Another resident wrote, "Absolutely agree with him on this. Pritzker should be sharing the number of people who have RECOVERED from this Virus instead of just the deaths."

The comments came just before Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the state's stay-at-home order into May. Under the state's modified stay-at-home order, greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may reopen as essential businesses. Non-essential retail businesses will be able to reopen to fill telephone and online orders through pickup outside the store and delivery.

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