'Time To Drop The Mask Mandate In Illinois': Mayor Chirico

NAPERVILLE, IL — "It's time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois," Mayor Steve Chirico wrote on his personal Facebook page Wednesday.

In his post, Chirico included a screenshot of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reflected lower coronavirus case counts in southern states, many of which, he noted, do not have mask mandates in place.

The mayor qualified the statement with a subsequent comment that read, "Let me be clear, this is not a political statement. I supported the Governor's mitigation strategy this year as opposed to shutting down the economy. BUT, based on the information we now have...including new vaccines, therapeutics and the data on how different mitigations affect outcomes, it doesn't make sense to me to wear masks."

"Clearly, the southern states are currently doing better than the rest of the country," Chirico wrote in the initial post.

He continued, "What I find interesting are the Midwestern states. We all have a similar climate and the states in our region are all larger (population) states. That said, each state has a very different COVID mitigation strategy. What I find interesting is that we are all currently in a very similar COVID transmission status. It appears that the COVID strategy in each state has little to no impact on the transmission results...at least according to the data as of today."

Chirico then included some text from a recent U.S. News and World Report article about U.S. territories and states with current mask mandates that read, "These are the U.S. states and territories with mask mandates for everyone, regardless of vaccination status:"

• District of Columbia
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Washington

Chirico concluded, "Fact: Illinois is the only Midwestern state that currently requires a mask and yet as of today, we are no better off than the surrounding states. In my view, based on the CDC information and the minimal, if any, impact of COVID mitigation strategies on actual results, It's time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois. That said, I still encourage everyone who is willing to get vaccinated, do so ASAP. IMHO"

Residents took to the comments section of the post to express their support or criticism of Chirico's post.

One reader, Dave M., wrote, "[Y]ou are the mayor. Every public statement you make is a political statement."

Another reader, George H., wrote, "It would prove you actually believe the data if you put in place city level policies that reflect the data."

Mayor Chirico did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment Friday morning.

Also on Patch:

In-Ground Pool, Grotto, Tennis Court On 2.3 Acres In Naperville

Thanksgiving 2021 Grocery Store Hours In Naperville

New Islamic Center Development Approved In Naperville: Report