Messages from the Village President and COVID-19 Resources for Residents and Businesses

Visit : Village COVID-19 home page for ALL updates and information for residents and businesses

Residents of Matteson,
This continues to be a unique time. It is my hope that we can all work together to keep our Village safe. Recently, the Cook County Department of Public Health announced the COVID-19 resurgence mitigations that will be implemented in our Region, beginning Monday, August 23, 2021. 

The Cook County Mitigation measures include the following:
All Businesses and Individuals

Any individual aged two and older and able to medically tolerate a mask shall be required to wear a mask when indoors in a public place, regardless of vaccination status.

For the purposes of this Order, indoor public spaces include any common or shared space in (1) a residential multi-unit building or (2) any non-residential building, including but not limited to retail stores, restaurants, bars/taverns, health and fitness clubs, museums, hotels, personal services, performance venues, movie theaters, commercial buildings, event venues, healthcare settings, congregate facilities, on public transportation and in transportation hubs.

Mask refers to a complete and tight-knit fabric or cloth, or medical mask that is appropriately sized for the individual’s face to snuggly cover the nasal openings and mouth without the necessity of being held in place by the individual’s hands.

All businesses open to the public must post signage, in a form and size approved by CCDPH, advising patrons and staff that masks are required to be worn on the premises. Such signage must be posted at all entrances to the premises as well as prominently posted in an area visible to patrons and staff within the establishment.

Masks may be removed at restaurants, bars, and other eating/drinking establishments by patrons when they are actively eating/drinking while stationary. Masks can also be removed for certain activities that require their removals, such as beard shaves or facials.

Exemptions

• Free exercise of religion. This Order does not limit the free exercise of religion. To protect the health and safety of faith leaders, staff, congregants, and visitors, religious organizations and houses of worship are strongly encouraged to consult and follow CDC recommendations for Communities of Faith. Religious organizations are strongly encouraged to take steps to ensure social distancing and implementation of other public health measures.
• Governmental functions. This Order does not apply to the United States government and does not affect services provided by the State or any municipal, township, county, subdivision, or agency of government needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies or to provide for or support the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

In addition to any other penalty provided by law, violations of this Order shall be subject to the penalties as set forth in the Cook County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances Sec. 38-38.

This Order repeals and replaces Cook County Department of Public Health Order 2021-9.

Nothing in this Order shall, in any way, alter or modify the legal authority of the State or any county, or local government body.

If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Order, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Order are declared to be severable. This Order is meant to be read consistently with any Court order regarding this Order.

This Direction and Order by the Cook County Department of Public Health shall remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency as declared by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, or until such time the Cook County Department of Public Health makes a written determination that the threat to public safety has diminished to the point that this Order can be safely repealed.

Let work together to keep our community safe,
Sheila Chalmers-Currin
Village President

• No indoor service
• All outside bar service closes at 11:00 pm
• All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside
• No ordering, seating, or congregating at the bar (bar stools should be removed)
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or existing
• No dancing or standing indoors
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

• No indoor dining or bar service
• All outdoor dining closes at 11:00 pm
• Outside dining tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

• Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity
• No party buses
• Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00 pm, are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigation for bars and restaurants, if applicable

After being a part of the Governor's press conference on August 7, 2020, I am concerned with hearing State Health officials report that Illinois is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, and Matteson is no exception.  Because infection indicators are heading in the wrong direction, Governor Pritzker recently warned that the state might have to impose more restrictions on regions if they can't keep their cases down.

Why is there an uptick? Unfortunately, whether due to pandemic fatigue or some other reason, some people are becoming less cautious.  They are gathering with friends in private or public spaces without precautions and are not quarantining after visiting the CODVID-19 hotspot state or are ignoring public health guidance.  While we all want to feel normal, we cannot become complacent.

Join me in continuing to talk with our children about society's responsibility to take precautions not just for ourselves, but for our community.  We taught them to wear seatbelts…They need to understand why wearing a mask, and social distancing is just as important.

Matteson Residents Please:

• Wear a Mask inside public places
• Wash your hands
• Maintain social distances (6 feet or more)

Matteson Business Owners, please adhere to the Governor's enforcement on mask-wearing. The rules provide multiple opportunities for compliance before any penalty is issued.

Requirements and Restrictions:

• Any individual over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering is required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when in a public place and unable to maintain at least a six-foot social distance.
• Any business, service, facility, or organization shall take reasonable steps to require employees, customers, and other individuals on the premises to wear a face covering.
• Public and nonpublic schools, ranging from preschools through post-secondary institutions and daycare centers and homes shall require students, employees, and other individuals on the premises to wear a face covering.
• Gatherings of more than 50 people or more than 50% of a building's maximum capacity are prohibited unless exempted by law or Executive Order. Businesses that comply with the guidance issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are complying with the Executive Order and thus are complying with this rule.

 Enforcement Process:

• First, businesses will be given a warning in the form of a written notice and encouraged to voluntarily make "reasonable efforts" to comply with public health guidance.
• Second, businesses that do not voluntarily comply will be given an order to have some or all of their patrons leave the premises as needed to comply with public health guidance and reduce risks.
• Third, if the business continues to refuse to comply, the business can receive a class A misdemeanor citation and be subject to a fine ranging from $75-$2,500.

As Village President, and on behalf of the Village Board, I urge you to take these directives seriously.  Please stay healthy, and please stay safe.

Sheila Chalmers-Currin

Village President

April 24, 2020

March 30, 2020

Residents of Matteson, this is a unique time for all. Never in our lifetime would we have expected to experience such a pandemic as this. My heart is warmed from the support of our Matteson business owners who have donated PPE supplies, and food for our first responders who put their lives on the line and display care, compassion, and dedication for our residents every day during this crisis.

As of today, the Village of Matteson has confirmed cases that are continuing to increase daily. The State Illinois has 5057 total cases and 73 total deaths. A recent case includes a fatality of an infant. No one is exempt from COVID-19. Even if you are not feeling ill, it is possible to be a carrier of the disease.  I urge all Matteson residents to unite and work together for the greater good of our community. I implore you to comply with Governors Pritzker's order to stay home to save lives.

Social distancing does not mean stop interacting; we need to use other methods of communicating. Consider calling, texting, FaceTiming, and using social media to stay in contact with family and friends.

Please limit the number of times you leave your home to essentials, and practice social distancing by staying 6 feet apart from others. It's our duty to protect our families, friends, and fellow residents.

Sheila Chalmers-Currin
Village President

March 21, 2020 Letter to Local Businesses

March 20, 2020

Matteson Residents,

Today (March 20, 2020), Governor JB Pritzker ordered Illinois residents to ‘stay at home.’ The order is effective at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2020, through the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, which currently extends through Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

The order requires all individuals currently living in the State of Illinois to stay at home or their place of residence. Individuals may only leave their residence to perform essential activities. The order provides that all non-essential business and operations must cease. Essential businesses and operations are mandated to take proactive measures in maintaining social distancing. These measures may include, where possible: designating six-foot distance; providing hand sanitizer and sanitizing products; separating operating hours for vulnerable populations; and, providing online and remote access for employees.

The Village of Matteson will continue to distribute timely, reliable and pertinent information as it becomes available.

Attached please find links to state and federal resources:

http://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18342

https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/FAQ/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18379 – Small Business Loan Overview

http://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18382 – Small Business Loan Application

http://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18381

http://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18380

Sheila Chalmers-Currin
Village President

Additional Resources

Visit the IDPH or CDC website for more information

COVID-19 FAQ’s: https://bit.ly/2TXbwy9

ComED Taking Steps to Support Customers: bit.ly/2U84hnj