Full Notification

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MAYOR GRASSO ON COVID-19
Friday, December 18, 2020 VACCINES HERE - “MASK FOR US”

The FDA advisory committee (in a 20-0 vote, one abstention) has recommended approval of the Moderna vaccine for emergency use,  just as they did with the  Pfizer vaccine; the full FDA  is expected to approve their vaccine quickly. The Moderna vaccine-like Pfizer’s – has an efficacy rating of over 90%; however, it must only be kept at “regular freezer temperatures,” unlike the minus 84 degrees of Pfizer’s. Both require a second dose of the same vaccine; you cannot mix them. The initial use of the Pfizer vaccine has started around the country and in Illinois with over 17,000 front-line health workers receiving the first doses to date. The few allergic reactions to both vaccines appear to be manageable. With two vaccines available, we have great hope of defeating the virus when the vulnerable and those over 65 are vaccinated. The average age of death in our area is 85. 
You are not required to be vaccinated, but I will get in line for either vaccine as soon as I am eligible.
After healthcare workers, the following priority groups have been recommended for vaccination:
•     Phase 1B: Essential workers (e.g., Education Sector, Food & Agriculture, Utilities, Police, Firefighters, Corrections Officers, and Transportation).
•     Phase 1C: Adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults 65 years and older.

I want to clarify misinformation being circulated about the Governor’s  Executive  Order concerning restaurants and the Village’s ability to prosecute perceived violations. Non-compliance with the Order is neither a crime nor unlawful. I have confirmed this with the DuPage County State’s Attorney. As the Governor has stated, there are no enforcement mechanisms – thus, his Order amounts to a request. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), comprised of six state senators (including our State Senator John Curran) and six state representatives,  is an oversight committee of the legislature that can and issued COVID-19 related administrative rules in August. 
JCAR issued only two rules: (1) persons should wear face coverings (masks) when interacting with the others inside or outside; and (2) gatherings of 50 or less are allowed, or at 50% of the capacity of an indoor facility.  To enforce either rule, a municipality has to first issue a warning of a violation (which I have in fact done recently), then allow a reasonable time for compliance – which occurred. If compliance is not achieved, then a written reprimand is issued, and then after more time goes by, a citation can be issued. After all, that time passes, the very most that can be done is that a court (after a hearing) – not a municipality – may assess a fine of up to $1,000, which can only be levied against a business, not a person. As Mayor, I have no authority to simply shut down or fine a business under the Governor’s order or JCAR. Thus, I have tried to strike a balance, asking the police to do their best to remind restaurants or businesses to enforce the use of masks, and keep tables at least 6 feet apart. Our officers have been doing just that.

Total COVID-19 cases in Burr Ridge as of today is 693; 489 (DuPage) and 204 (Cook), up 29 cases since December 11. Click here for the DuPage County dashboard and here for Cook.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” ― Abraham Lincoln

SOCIAL DISTANCE – WEAR PROPER FACE COVERINGS – VACCINES!