Though Oak Park has yet to have a confirmed case of coronavirus in its community, the village board has called a special meeting Friday morning to declare a local public health emergency.
In a release, village officials said declaring the local public health emergency allows Oak Park to respond more quickly to the rapidly changing challenges of the coronavirus , also known as COVID-19.
A special meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Friday morning at village hall, 123 Madison St.
“This declaration does not mean residents of Oak Park are at an immediate increased risk for contracting COVID-19,” Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb said in a statement. “The village manager and public health director are just asking the village board to give them the authority to move more quickly should circumstances change.”
If approved by the village board, the declaration would coincide with similar actions taken earlier this week by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Cook County Board, which allows for a more effective response to the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis, officials said.
The local emergency declaration would temporarily suspend Oak Park purchasing rules, such as bidding requirements and board contract approvals, when quick action is deemed necessary to protect public health and it is impractical to convene a board meeting.
Administrative rules could also be authorized by the village manager without board approval to ensure public employees retain their wages and benefits for up to 14 days should they or a family member be asked to self-quarantine in the event of exposure to COVID-19. Fourteen days is the quarantine time established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the meantime, the Oak Park Department of Public Health continues to stress the importance of avoiding possible contact with the virus, including washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home from work if you are sick. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily is also recommended, including phones and keyboards.
“The best strategy for individuals at this point continues to be using every day preventative actions like those recommended by the CDC,” public health director Mike Charley said. “Since no anti-viral prevention treatment currently is available for the virus, taking common sense precautions like frequent handwashing remains the best approach to adopt.”
Residents can sign up for e-news updates from the village through its website at www.oak-park.us. Updates will also be posted to Oak Park’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Links to the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health are available through the village website at www.oak-park.us/covid19.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering
