Rantoul, IL Officer Violates COVID-19 Social Distancing Order for ‘Photo-With-Cop’ Birthday Request

On March 27^th, 2020, a set of images began circulating on social media showing Rantoul Illinois Police Officer Kyle Donovan very flagrantly violating Governor Pritzker’s state-wide order on social distancing. The pictures show Donovan standing very closely to two young boys (with whom he has no relation) and placing his bare hands on their shoulders. It appears Donovan volunteered to take part in this photoshoot for one of the boy’s birthdays, but it is not clear how Donovan or the boys’ family justified this, since such an action is illegal by the Governor’s order.

The images were taken on March 26^th, but Governor Pritzker’s “social distancing” order went into effect on March 21^st. The order is very clear that people should “maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person”. The Governor also made clear that local police departments are tasked with enforcing the order. At the time these photos were posted, COVID-19 had already killed over 30,000 people worldwide. Citizens are concerned that the Rantoul Police Department is not taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.