A US mayor of a small town in Illinois who sent Police officers on Sunday to break up parties amid coronavirus lockdown was left shocked after his own wife was among the revelers attending one of the parties.
“These are very serious times and I’m begging you to please stay at home. Parents, please keep your kids at home, doing so is vital to our health, ”Alton Mayor Brant Walker said on Sunday as he ordered Police officers to break up parties.
When Police officers busted one of the parties they found several people in attendance including the first lady of Alton.
On Monday, Mr. Walker issued a statement on Facebook saying police had found his wife at a bar in the city that was operating against Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders. Walker said he was embarrassed and apologised to his constituents before disclosing that he told the town’s police chief to treat his wife, Shannon, ‘as he would any citizen violating the “Stay At Home” order and to ensure that she received no special treatment.’
‘I am embarrassed by this incident and apologize to the citizens of Alton for any embarrassment this incident may cause our City
‘My wife is an adult capable of making her own decisions, and in this instance she exhibited a stunning lack of judgement. She will face “the same consequences” for her ill-advised decision as the other individuals caught at the event, he added.
All those arrested have been charged for reckless conduct, a misdemeanor punishable by up to nearly a year jail. They are due in court at a later date.
