CARTERVILLE (WSIL) -- The City of Carterville shutdown its skatepark Friday after an investigation from a citizen complaint about groups of people gathering at the amenity in Cannon Memorial Park.
Mayor Brad Robinson said they shut down the playground early on in the crisis and staff posted signs Thursday advising no gatherings over 10 people at four locations around the park including the skatepark, dog park, pavilion and gazebo at the park.
"We're using temporary posts with caution tape around the skatepark," Robinson said. "We made the decision to go ahead and close it off because that is the one that seems to be the most difficult on controlling the number of people."
Carterville resident Nick Lucian tells News 10 he told city officials after spotting, what he describes, as 20 to 30 kids within a 100 square foot radius gathering at the skatepark on April 1 during the day.
"All on skateboards and scooters," Lucian said. "A lot of the parents were standing right next to each other as well acting completely normal and it kind of weirded me out realizing how many people do not actually comprehend what's going on right now."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order March 20 prohibiting public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a single household, except to participate in essential activities. On Tuesday he extended the order.
"If we find anyone violating portions of the executive order local law enforcement is suppose to remind them of it and ask for compliance," Robinson said.
Here are the incremental steps of enforcement of the stay at home order:
- Education about the order
- Verbal or written notice to comply
- Possible sanction from regulatory authorities that may oversee non-essential activity
- Civil liability
- Court ordered compliance
- Criminal charges related to contempt of court orders
If the the violations continue to persist and the subject does not comply the order Robinson said the state has told local officials they need to go to a judge for a cease and decist order.
"If it is established that if the individual continues to violate the order then they would e held in contempt of court," Robinson said. "There is a process that needs to be administered."
What is considered an "essential activity?"
According to the state tasks vital to health and safety - including: gathering medical supplies, medication, items needed to work from home
� For health and safety: seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care professional
� For necessary supplies and services: obtaining groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
� For outdoor activity: walking, hiking, running or biking - including going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, except for playgrounds
� For certain types of work: Providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or otherwise carrying out activities specifically permitted in the order, including Minimum Basic Operations
� To take care of others: Caring for or transporting a family member, friend or pet in another household.
A full list of essential businesses is available on
The intent of the order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their place of residence as much as possible.
Robinson said Carterville does not have a problem with compliance.
"We've been fortunate so far," Robinson said. "We've had a lot of voluntary compliance."
Robinson said he wants city staff to refrain from putting up barriers at the gazebo and pavillion so people who are exercising will be able to have a place to stop and rest.
"I'd want a place for people to do that. We'll leave the pavillion and gazebo space open but we're not taking reservations for any parties or events. Through routine patrol, if people are gathering there they will be asked to disburse," Robinson said.
Law enforcement across the state has been more interested in businesses violating the state shutdown edict, serving cease and desist notices prepared this week by Illinois State Police and provided to local departments. The one-time warnings to businesses that stay open would be followed by potential criminal charges if they ignored police. All of this is possible under two state laws authorizing Gov. Pritzker to put Illinois residents under a stay-at-home order.
The Mayor said he knows so many are inconvenienced but now is the time to be vigilant.
"Now is the time to ratchet it up a notch because you can see from the numbers it's starting to ramp up at home. I'm just fearful people haven't realized the brevity of the situation," Robinson said.
