Mask Mandate Request Divides Board In Orland

ORLAND PARK, IL — Masks, coronavirus and debates were discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting in Orland Park on Monday, when one trustee requested a mask wearing mandate for the village and was met with opposition.

The Village Board of Trustees voted 4-3 against implementing what would be a mask-wearing mandate, after Trustee Dan Calandriello requested that the potential mandate be considered. Calandriello said he asked for it to be placed on the agenda because of recent increases in positive coronavirus cases in the community.

"I was just thinking of ways we can help our community be safer," Calandriello said. "As we know, Orland Park has a lot of visitors during the day ... possibly bringing COVID and then taking home COVID — and then us giving it to our other surrounding communities, including Tinley Park."

Calandriello referenced a recent mandate set by the Village of New Lenox, saying his key request is to increase indoor mask wearing, adding it will help Orland businesses. The trustee said the mandate would require masks be worn in public places such as restaurants, businesses and other public places.

When explaining why he believes the ordinance should pass, Calandriello said the mandate would not include people wearing a mask at home.

In terms of enforcing the mandate, Calandriello said it would be “complaint-driven,” rather than having village employees and police have an eye on businesses, to see if they follow the guidance. He also said the village could issue "a couple of warnings" prior to issuing fines.

"I know that we are trying to help the businesses … and this is just another tool to keep them open safely," Calandriello said.

Trustee Cynthia Nelson Katsenes disagreed with Calandriello, saying Illinois has a mask mandate for indoors at businesses. Katsenes also said she is "not making light of masks being important," but upon recent visits to Orland businesses and restaurants, everyone she saw was complying with the state mandate.

"I think this issue is somewhat politically motivated. And I’m sure we’ll see many more issues like this before the April election," Katsenes said.

Trustee Kathleen Fenton disagreed with Katsenes’ remarks and said she has seen people not complying with the mandate, adding the Village’s boardroom as one place it occurs.

"To say that people are complying isn’t really true. Whether or not the mandate came from the governor or a mandate comes from us … people are doing whatever people want to do," Fenton said. "I think the purpose of this was just trying to say that, ‘Yes, I care about other peoples’ health and by me wearing a mask, I’m preventing somebody else from getting it.’ But people who aren’t wearing masks are just saying, ‘I don’t really give two hoots whether you get sick or not,’ because there are people walking around with COVID who don’t even know they have it.”

Mayor of Orland Park, Keith Pekau said he is "not sure what the point is" in bringing up a mask mandate, agreeing with Katsenes. Pekau added the village staff has "better things to do" when it comes to the virus. The mayor said the vaccine is expected to be released soon.

"Currently, staff is working through the distribution plan we have in place. We exercised that plan in March, and we will continue to train appropriately," Pekau said. "The State’s plan right now is unclear, so staff needs to spend their time focusing on that."

Pekau said he doesn't support the ordinance, saying he doesn't think people should get arrested or ticketed for not wearing a mask.

"The last thing I'm going to support is arresting or ticketing residents or visitors for not wearing masks, or to support people picking up the phone clogging up our police dispatch with people wearing masks," Pekau said.

Watch the whole meeting and hear comments from other board members on the Village of Orland Park's YouTube page.