Anna Police Department issued the following announcement on April 14.
The Anna Police Department has received a few complaints in regards to non-essential businesses being non-compliant and violating the 'Stay at Home' order, which was administered through an Executive Order from the Governor. As a reminder, if the Governor's Office has declared your business non-essential and if a group of more than 10 people gather, you are in violation of the Executive Order. Local law enforcement has been advised to utilize community care by educating first and then escalating intervention as appropriate. As a last resort, law enforcement may issue misdemeanor citations for non-compliance. The Anna Police Department will undoubtedly enforce non-compliance of the 'Stay at Home' order to help protect you, your families and our community from COVID-19.
See the statutes listed below in regards to violating the 'Stay at Home' order:
The IDPH Act (20 ILCS 2305/8.1) provides: “Whoever violates or refuses to obey any rule or regulation of the Department of Public Health shall be deemed guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The Director of Public Health shall institute prosecutions and proceedings for violation of the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Public Health, provided that he may designate a local board of health or local health officer to institute prosecutions or proceedings for violation of those rules and regulations adopted by the Department. Each State's Attorney shall prosecute all persons in his county violating or refusing to obey the rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health.”
Moreover, the DPH Act (20 ILCS 2305/3(k)) provides: “Any person who knowingly or maliciously *** refuses to comply with a quarantine, isolation or closure order [issued by the Department] is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.” ISP undoubtedly has authority to enforce this provision of the DPH Act as law enforcement officers and conservators of the peace.
Other appropriate criminal charges would include Reckless Conduct (725 ILCS 5/12-5(a)(1), which provides: “A person commits reckless conduct when he or she, by any means lawful or unlawful, recklessly performs an act of acts that: (1) cause bodily harm to or endanger the safety of another person.” Reckless conduct is a Class A misdemeanor. 720 ICLS 5/12-5(b).
I plead to the citizens of The City of Anna. Stay home unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do have to be in public, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and do not touch your face.
Thank you,
Chief Bryan Watkins
Original source can be found here.
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