Shorewood Mayor Rick Chapman Recovers From COVID-19

SHOREWOOD, IL — Three weeks since Shorewood residents last publically heard from Mayor Rick Chapman, he is officially back with his regular coronavirus updates. In a video message uploaded to the village's YouTube channel on Thursday, he said his recent absence came after his own diagnosis with the coronavirus.

“About a week after I had tested positive, I actually made the emergency room. I got sent home to isolate myself from anybody, which I had already been doing. I really hadn’t been leaving the house," he said.

The mayor said he feels pretty fortunate to have recovered from the virus. Chapman said he feels his strength coming back and now feels pretty normal.

"I’m just happy to report that we’re OK. My wife is OK. We are going to get back to what we consider normal. That is right now staying at home," he said. "That virus is not fun to have. I’m going to tell you that from experience. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape. I come out of it OK."

He used his own experience with COVID-19 to remind residents to stay home for the Thanksgiving holiday and avoid gathering with friends.

More than 1 million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last 7 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the CDC announced this week that the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with.

"Take this seriously and stay apart. Try not to gather together for the holiday. Hopefully the numbers will start coming down, the beds in the hospitals will start opening up, and we can get into a position where we can at least celebrate Christmas and have some family gathering," the mayor warned.

On Friday, Illinois imposed Tier 3 Mitigations following the uncontrolled spread of the virus. The new restrictions impact many small businesses, including food and bar establishments. In his video address, the mayor issued a stern warning to bar owners.

"We have a couple of establishments here in Shorewood who decide that money and profit are more important than the health of the people of Shorewood," the mayor said.

“Please take this Thanksgiving season and do the right thing. I’m directing this straight to you owners, especially you sports bars, do the right thing and keep people safe. People of Shorewood, please, do not go to these establishments that decide to say ‘screw all of ya.’ Stay out of them," he stressed.

According to the mayor, he along with staff at village hall are working to secure grants to try businesses financially impacted by the coronavirus.

To watch the mayor's video address in its entirety, see below: