ELK GROVE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A northwestern suburb has decided to defy Governor Pritzker’s indoor mask mandate and declare itself “mask optional."
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said COVID will always be with us, and that the best way to counteract it is by being vaccinated. He made his proclamation at this week’s village board meeting: if you don’t want to wear a mask inside a public building, you don’t have to.
"Here in Elk Grove, effective immediately is mask optional," Mayor Johnson said.
Mayor Johnson said through all the big events the village had over the summer and into the fall, there has not been any super spreader event and COVID numbers are down to a point, he believes, justifies going mask-optional in indoor public places.
"Back in the summer, the Governor lifted his mandate when we got below 5 percent. That was the magic number, if you remember. Today, we’re at 1.6 percent. Why hasn’t it been lifted again?" Johnson said.
"Well, we’re following the science...COVID is here for perpetuity. It’s not going to ever go away."
Mayor Johnson said people are still free to wear masks if they choose, and businesses may still require masks, if they choose.
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