Des Plaines mayor tests positive for COVID-19
Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski is isolating himself at home after testing positive for COVID-19.
Goczkowski, who had been taking daily coronavirus tests at home after a family member tested positive, said he first tested positive Saturday night. Subsequent tests also indicated he contracted the virus.
Goczkowski said both he and the family member have been asymptomatic.
Following recommended COVID-19 safety protocols, Goczkowski skipped Tuesday night's city council meeting. Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman ran the meeting in his absence.
He expects to end his home isolation Saturday.
A day before Goczkowski tested positive, he had appeared at an outdoor news conference in Des Plaines with other local, state and federal officials. All were masked except when briefly speaking into microphones at a lectern.
Goczkowski said he had tested negative the night before the event and again Friday night.
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Brad Schneider of Deerfield were among the lawmakers at Friday's event. Both have since tested negative for COVID-19, and both wished Goczkowski well Wednesday.
Goczkowski, who said he was vaccinated against COVID-19 and received a booster shot, urged people to do the same.
"Those can make all the difference between having mild symptoms ... or going to the hospital or worse," Goczkowski said.