Face Masks Recommended, Not Required In Winnetka Amid Coronavirus

WINNETKA, IL — Village President Chris Rintz said he does not plan to introduce legislation mandating the use of masks or other face coverings in the village, instead asking residents to comply voluntarily with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmissions.

In a letter to residents, Rintz said he discussed a potential face-covering requirement with village staff and other local elected officials before deciding to avoid it. He noted the village has very few businesses currently allowing customers inside, the rate of new cases detected among residents has slowed in recent weeks and implementing a mask mandate would unnecessarily tax emergency personnel.

"Our police and fire departments have been stretched to the limit. Creating additional enforcement expectations would only serve to tax already limited resources, and potentially increase exposure risk to our first responders," Rintz said.

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Local governments in Glenview, Highland Park, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette have issued face-covering mandates, and Rintz said he had fielded "numerous requests" from businesses and residents to do so in Winnetka.

"I am strongly recommending that businesses require that all patrons entering their premises wear masks to protect employees and the general public," he said, suggesting businesses may post and enforce mask requirements the same way most require patrons to wear shirts and shoes.

According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, there were 62 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Winnetka as of Monday morning. There were 27 cases detected in Northfield and 15 in Glencoe.

"There are some who would find comfort in the establishment of mandatory edicts governing resident behavior, and these concerns are legitimate," the village president said. "Balancing the sensibilities of an independent citizenry, the need to conserve Village assets, and the challenges of fending off an invisible adversary can be difficult and controversial. Continuing to work collaboratively as caring neighbors just seems more 'Winnetka' to me than creating laws."