This story turns out to be more sad than humorous.
An Illinois mayor who directed the city's police department to issue citations and make arrests to enforce stay-at-home orders, was later informed that police stopped a prohibited gathering at a local bar, and that his wife was in attendance.
"I have directed the police department to use their discretion in issuing citations or making an arrest for those refusing to follow the state issued stay-at home mandate,” Brant Walker, mayor of Alton, Illinois, said in a Friday briefing.
Three days later he was issuing another statement.
Walker announced that police stopped a social gathering at a bar in violation of Illinois' statewide order around 1 a.m. on Sunday.
At approximately 1am on Sunday morning, I was informed by the Police Chief that the Alton Police Department was investigating and stopping a social gathering in downtown Alton that was occurring in violation of the provisions of the statewide ‘Stay At Home’ order.
I was also made aware that my wife was in attendance at this prohibited social gathering. I instructed the Police Chief to treat her as he would any citizen violating the 'Stay At Home' order and to ensure that she received no special treatment.
My wife is an adult capable of making her own decisions, and in this instance she exhibited a stunning lack of judgement. She now faces the same consequences for her ill-advised decision as the other individuals who chose to violate the ‘Stay At Home’ order during this incident.
Reportedly, police issued criminal complaints for reckless conduct, a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $2,500 -- to everyone who had gathered at Hiram’s Tavern that Sunday.
On Wednesday, Walker posted a video apologizing again for his wife's actions and explained that he and his wife have had marital issues and are living apart.