CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Evanston’s mayor will be missing next week’s City Council meeting for an important reason affecting his bottom line.
"Honestly, I’m 52 years old and for two years, I ‘ve put off having a colonoscopy," said Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty.
He said four out of 10 people report putting off seeking medical care for fear that they might contract COVID-19 at the medical facility. So, Mayor Steve Hagerty said he’s got a colonoscopy appointment when he could, and it turns out to be the same day as the City Council meeting.
"I wanted to drive home the point that preventative medical care that we all need, whether we're men or we're women, black or white, we need this care. We can’t put it off," he said.
Experts say the number of non-COVID-related deaths could increase, because people are avoiding going to a doctor for preventive care.
Mayor Hagerty said part of his inspiration comes from Evanstonian and cancer-survivor Matt Rodgers who annually speaks to the City Council to remind people how important cancer screenings are.
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"Every year, I listen to Matt and I think, 'Yeah, I’ve got to go do that,’ and Matt’s in the back of my head," Hagerty said.
So, Hagerty will be getting the colonoscopy, which he's hearing from others isn't uncomfortable in itself. It's the prep the 24-hours beforehand that can be draining.
"As nervous as I am to have it done, I’m really pleased that I’ve finally gotten around to it," he said.
A news release from the City of Evanston said, jokingly, that despite advances in colonoscopy video technology, the mayor's procedure will not be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page or its cable channel.