The Illinois Municipal League wants the State to form a working group of mayors and other local officials to better coordinate coronavirus response.
The League says local leaders are being asked to enforce coronavirus measures without necessarily having enough assistance from state government to back their authority. IML Executive Director Brad Cole said on their own, these officials may have difficulty addressing violations from residents and businesses.
“Local officials are just as frustrated as everyone else," he said, "but without the authority to force compliance, there’s really nowhere for them to turn. And that’s what we’re asking for: better coordination.”
State’s attorneys and county health departments often serve as enforcement bodies for COVID-19 guidelines, but Cole said state government agencies could help this process further, such as through citations or revoking food licenses of violators. He added that a collaborative working group could keep all parties abreast of the latest COVID-19 developments and better coordinate state response to violations.