Naperville Votes Down Mask Mandate: Report

NAPERVILLE, IL — The city of Naperville Tuesday voted against measures that would have required residents to wear face masks in public, according to Chicago Tribune. The decision came after comments were read by more than 130 residents, a number of whom opposed a mask mandate citing health, religious and personal concerns.

The city council vote was split 5-4 in opposition to the proposed face mask ordinance, which would have required residents to wear a face mask when they cannot maintain 6 feet of social distance from others.

The mask mandate measure was opposed by Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, in addition to council members Hiterlong, Gustin, Coyne and Krummen.

Mayor Chirico kicked off the hours-long mask discussion by defending his recent decision to attend his daughter's wedding in Florida and Florida's lack of a mask mandate. Chirico said, "Having just visited the state with an open economy and no mask mandate, I have witnessed firsthand that less regulation can be just as safe and can lead to better results. For that reason, I don’t believe the mask mandate is a wise public policy that should be instituted in Naperville at this time.”

As an alternative, the city council voted 8-1 in favor of a measure that aims to increase public awareness about face mask usage.

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