The REALTOR® Association of Southwestern Illinois (RASI) purchased four hazmat suits and donated them to the city of O’Fallon last week to show its support for real estate inspectors during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

“The crisis threatens the community’s health and it’s causing financial stress for many,” says RASI CEO Deb Frazier. “Since real estate transactions are essential business and O’Fallon requires home inspections, our board of directors thought the suits could help protect the inspectors without costing the city money.”

O’Fallon Mayor Herb Roach accepted the suits on behalf of the inspectors (see photo).

On March 20, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an Executive Order requiring Illinoisans with non-essential jobs to stay home to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The order began the next evening.

On March 23, the city began hosting city meetings on the virtual platform Zoom.com.

On March 31, O’Fallon closed all basketball courts, restrooms, batting cages, ball fields, pavilions, playgrounds and a skate park, according to the City of O’Fallon website.

RASI, based in Shiloh, Ill., has more than 1,000 members. It’s led by President Donna Baker, President-elect Celeste Wheeler, Treasurer Karen Sheesley and Immediate Past President Judy Ross.