Churchgoers defying stay-at-home initiatives amid the coronavirus pandemic could receive citations in the Chicago area.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last week the city was preparing to enforce restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus against houses of worship holding in-person services.
After churchgoers decided to attend services anyway on Sunday, Lightfoot said in a statement that city officials are working with law enforcement to monitor large gatherings, including ones of faith, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“The local districts are reviewing reports of large gatherings that took place today at various establishments not abiding by the stay-at-home order,” the statement said. “Following that review, the Department will issue and mail citations where necessary.”
Worshipers across the country have been growing restless with stay-at-home orders prohibiting in-person faith gatherings.
Roughly 200 church leaders, including a handful in Illinois, signed an online petition dubbed Peaceably Gather, which was started by Texas megachurch pastor, Rev. Brian Gibson. The petition reaffirms a desire by the faith community to reopen states.
The petition calls it a “deliberate slap in the face to religious freedom” that people can go to grocery stores or other retailers but not attend church.
Chicago has taken one of the stricter approaches to enforcing stay-at-home policies and has threatened to fine residents who disobey it.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has set the current stay-at-home order for the state to last until at least May 30.
Illinois has seen more than 94,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 4,000 deaths.
