South Cook News

With many businesses and even government agencies closed or limiting contact with the public, one suburb of Chicago had a short period when even the police department had to close after a staff member in the Blue Island Police Department tested positive for COVID-19.

During the short-lived closure, Cooke County Sheriff’s deputies and Illinois State Police took over patrolling duties and answered any 911 calls in Blue Island.

On March 22, Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas told NBC 5 that he had made the decision to suspend all department activities after the staff member tested positive during the prior week. The staff member had not been at work for at least a week prior to the test, but city officials were working to determine what contacts the staff member had with other city employees.

The closure was short-lived, however, and at 2 p.m. on March 23, the department announced that they were back in business.

“The Blue Island Police Department has reported back to work as of 6 a.m. today, following a temporary closure of the department on March 22, 2020,” the Facebook post read. “The department has been thoroughly cleaned and personnel not in direct contact with the affected employee have returned to work.”

The closure had received immediate criticism from state Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island). 

“Mayor Vargas made a unilateral decision at 1 a.m. Sunday to suspend all police department activities,” Rita told NBC5-Chicago. “At no point did the mayor’s office contact my office, any member of the City Council or any other leaders in making this rash decision.”

Vargas told NBC 5 that he had consulted with both the Illinois Department of Health and Homeland Security Emergency Management.

A statement from the office of Gov. J.B. Pritzker had encouraged local police departments to be responsible in handling the COVD-19 threat.

“Police officers are essential employees who do valuable work to protect and serve,” the governor’s office said in a statement to NBC-5. “The health and safety of all Illinoisans are the governor’s top priority and the administration is working with ISP to inform local governments on proper protocols. The governor would urge leaders in Blue Island to follow guidance from the CDC and IDPH.”