Since the pandemic began, we have all been forced to change our lives, and the sacrifices made have been emotional, frustrating and unique to every single one of us.

We are tired of taking precautions. Tired of the masks, the handwashing, the sense of high alert. We all want to go back to our normal lives: school, work, celebrations, travel, concerts, restaurants, the gym, the list goes on.

Unfortunately, the decisions by some to ignore the risks of infection have led to the current rapid increase in cases and now more restrictions. No one welcomes them, but they are necessary to keep our community safe and to literally save lives. With strong, consistent efforts, we can again flatten the curve.

As your mayor, I took a pledge to protect you. Along with my City Council colleagues and City staff, we take that pledge of public protection very seriously. We also take science seriously and continue to follow and support the advice and counsel of the infectious disease professionals of the Lake County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

We all know what we need to do: wear a mask, stop gathering in groups, wash your hands, stay home if you don’t feel well. To be clearer: stop having people over to your house (kids and adults) who you don’t live with unless you can visit outside at a social distance. As Colorado Governor Jared Polis said, “This isn’t a contest to see what you can get away with.”

Let’s keep supporting each other by doing the right thing - if not for yourself, then for our community. This, too, shall pass.

The City regularly shares updates regarding the COVID-19 situation on its website at cityhpil.com/covid-19. Resources on the City's website include: