Highland mayor implores community, businesses to take COVID-19 threat more seriously

Highland City Hall reopened Monday, as the mayor pleads with business owners to take the coronavirus seriously.

City Hall closed Aug. 5 after an unnamed city employee tested positive for COVID-19. The city hired an outside company to come in and sanitize the building, and employees remain in quarantine, according to Mayor Joe Michaelis.

“So far no one else has come down sick,” he said.

Michaelis disclosed he also has tested negative for the virus.

However, he is asking all restaurant, tavern and business owners in Highland to require their employees to wear masks, and the state is issuing new restrictions as infection rates continue to rise in the metro-east.

“This is way worse than people realize,” Michaelis said. “This is some very serious business with people’s health.”

Michaelis said he is concerned some individuals in Highland are not taking it seriously enough.

“I (just) went to two restaurants and no employees were wearing masks,” he said. “I walked right back out.”

Michaelis said while there are some flouting the mask rules, others have expressed blame on the city for not doing something about businesses that don’t require masks.

“I wish I could,” he said. “I don’t have the authority at present, but it’s coming ... If there’s legislation that gives us the authority to enforce it, we certainly will.”

‘We will issue citations’

While Highland officials had previously expressed doubt the city had sufficient officers to enforce mask ordinances, Michaelis said it is now essential they do so if given the legal support from the state.

“We are going to take more enforcement action if the governor gives us that authority,” he said. “We will issue citations.”

In the meantime, the health department does have the authority. About 10 days ago, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced local officials may issue fines to Illinois businesses that do not enforce mask requirements. Enforcement begins with warnings and can escalate to fines of $75 to $2,500.

Michaelis invited citizens to tell him directly if they see a business not using masks.

Highland’s City Hall closure occurred the same week Highland District 5 reported an employee testing positive after the first day teachers and staff reported to work. Students were not in attendance.