Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Monday launched a new $5 million awareness campaign to encourage Illinoisans to wear face coverings every time they're in public.
The campaign, dubbed the 'It Only Works If You Wear It' campaign, uses local information to advertise on broadcast and cable television, radio, billboards, and social media to the communities with the greatest risk from COVID-19.
“I’m proud to launch a new public awareness campaign today that has a straightforward message for Illinoisans: A mask is like anything that keeps us safe. It only works if you wear it,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve made so much progress since the beginning of this pandemic. Let’s protect that progress. This is our moment to pull together as families, friends, and neighbors. We’re all safer and stronger when we go all in, Illinois.”
The $5 million campaign will reach residents statewide in both English and Spanish, and like any other coronavirus-related expense, is reimbursable by the federal government.
Governor Pritzker introduced Illinois’ mask-wearing requirement on May 1, the same day Illinois moved into Phase 2 of its reopening, and called for a national mask mandate during testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives on July 8.