Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville’s Mayor Steve Chirico once hoped some businesses would be able to open on May 1, but the Illinois governor's continuing extension of stay at home orders and his five-phase plan for reopening emphasize a statement Chirico made more than a month ago.

“It’s technically not city business. It’s our government, but I’m not making the call to do any of this stuff. I don’t have authority,” Chirico told the Chicago Tribune.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order is in effect until May 30, during which time residents can only go out for grocery trips, medical care, taking care of loved ones or picking up food from restaurants. His reopening plan has come under criticism for dividing Illinois into just four regions. Critics argue different standards that require all of that region to advance to reopening stages are arbitrary, and that his requirement that a vaccine or cure for COVID-19 be developed before the state can fully reopen is unrealistic.

Naperville’s mayor wanted businesses that have little risk of transmitting the novel coronavirus or those that operate outdoors to begin opening the first of May. He said that residents of Naperville achieved the early goal of "flattening the curve" and that they how to keep the novel coronavirus at bay.

“It’s time to apply what we have learned and begin opening the low transmission risk businesses back up...monitor the situation and if we maintain manageable virus levels, open the next level of businesses,” Chirico said on his Facebook page.

Chirico said that he expects residents to continue to practice careful social distancing and hygiene practices, including handwashing. 

Outdoor activities such as tennis courts and golf courts would have been opened under Chirico’s recommendation, but higher density activities like sporting events would continue to be postponed until the virus is handled even better. 

Chirico said that not all businesses will be able to open instantly, however, and that in order to ensure that it is done safely businesses must be willing to vary their opening dates based on their location and the business itself. 

Chirico also mentioned that the Edwards Hospital staff has done a great job managing their numbers and have so far not become overburdened by the cases of COVID-19. 

As of May 17, Illinois reported 94,191 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 4,177 deaths. DuPage County has 5,904 confirmed cases of COVID-19, while Will County has confirmed 4,388 cases.

"Once we know the health care system can manage and we continue to apply all the new behaviors, I believe we can start to lay out a plan in opening this economy back up,” Chirico said.