Woodridge Declares Emergency Amid Coronavirus Concerns

WOODRIDGE, IL — As new coronavirus concerns grow throughout DuPage County, Woodridge has declared a state of emergency. Mayor Gina Cunningham said in a statement that the declaration will help "establish the legal authority for prompt resource mobilization, and establish the processes required for any possible federal or state disaster relief funds for [the] community."

Cunningham called the declaration "mainly procedural" for the purpose of allowing Woodridge to coordinate "more effectively" with state and federal authorities. The declaration will also allow the village to enact emergency staffing protocols and to participate in contracts to buy emergency goods and services if needed.

The state of emergency is effective until March 24. After that, Woodridge may consider extending the original deadline.

DuPage County declared a state of disaster Monday after a nursing home patient in Willowbrook was confirmed to have the coronavirus. As of Thursday morning, 46 cases of coronavirus had been confirmed at the nursing home.

As fears over coronavirus lead to restaurant closures and increased social distancing, the DuPage County Courthouse has suspended all criminal and civil cases through April 17. Weddings and civil ceremonies have been rescheduled through April 24.