'Put The Mask On': New Lenox Mayor

NEW LENOX, IL — As region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee counties, nears a 7 percent positivity rate, New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann isn't mincing words.

"This isn't about choosing a political side and your freedoms. Put the mask on," he said during the Aug. 10 village board meeting.

New rules were recently announced regarding the requirement of wearing masks in a business. Businesses that refuse to comply with public health guidance to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus can be subject to a class A misdemeanor and a fine of up to $2,500.

Baldermann said New Lenox will enforce the mask requirement in businesses.

"Our businesses have been pretty good for the most part, I think they've been really good, but not all the time, and I get it," Baldermann said, adding that it's difficult for employees who don't want to argue with customers about not wearing a mask.

"We are not making this political, we have not, and we will not," Baldermann said. "So quite candidly, let me tell you this, I'm not interested in mask shaming you, I don't really care what your politics are. If you have a problem with wearing a mask, sue the governor, go at it. In this town, we're going to enforce it."

Baldermann said medical science has said masks are helpful and local infectious disease doctors have also said it helps prevent the spread.

According to IDPH, as of data available on Aug. 4, region 7 has had six days of test positivity increases and five days of hospital admission increases. The most recent data shows the positivity rate at 6.7 percent. Hospital availability for region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee counties, has 36 percent of medical-surgical beds available and 35 percent of ICU beds available.

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