Due to the recent events surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor J.B. Pritzker has recently announced Six Flags Great America located in Gurnee, Illinois won't be allowed to open until “Phase 5”, which is 9-15 months away form now, or "until there is a vaccine or effective treatment". I strongly believe that it's worth a shot, with the right support from the thousands of employees at Six Flags Great America, and the hundreds, to thousands to millions of fans of the park alongside the multiple people with season passes and memberships, to try and help allow the park to reopen for the summer and the rest of the 2020 following the guidelines that the CEO of the Six Flags company, Michael Spanos has put in place for when the parks across the chain will be allowed to reopen for the safety of the guests and their employees. 

Michael Spanos said "Once Six Flags parks reopen, strict safety measures will be in place, including face masks, temperature checks, and reduced attendance. Guests at Six Flags theme parks will experience mobile ordering and cashless transactions. Social distancing measures will remain in place, with guests being asked to remain six feet from each other. Fewer guests will be admitted to rides and there will be floor markers to help people keep their distance. Six Flags has said that it is testing virtual queuing, which should be available in the next few months.
The parks will be sanitized more regularly, with rides being wiped down throughout the day and hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations installed throughout Six Flags". I strongly believe that should Six Flags Great America be committed to following these guidelines, that they should have the right to reopen and bring thrills to millions of guests this season. 

Several other parks are being allowed to reopen this year with similar guidelines/policies/procedures in place, so why can't Six Flags Great America?

Six Flags Great America opened in 1976 in honor of our countries bicentennial. 44 years later, it still attracts millions of guests each year. Six Flags Great America is located between two large cities, Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both cities are the target markets for the parks and draws in more than 2 million visitors on a yearly basis. Six Flags Great America is one of the companies most attended parks and helps to generate a lot of money for the company as a whole. Six Flags Great America is also a vital and crucial part of the local economy and it provides jobs for hundreds to thousands of people who live in the area. Six Flags Great America not only brings thrills to millions of guests during the busy summer season, they also bring chills during the fall during Fright Fest and brings cheer to families during the holidays during Holiday In the Park. Three (3) different seasons, three (3) different events, each drawing many fans to the park. 

I want to make it very clear that I am very well aware that there will be those who are not willing to risk their health and attend the park as well as some employees not willing to work and risk their health and I hold nothing against you and fully support your decision, however, I know for a fact that there are people desperate for the park to open this season to go and have fun with their families and friends and for some, return to work and help provide income for themselves and their families. I know that if enough people sign this petition, that it will show who is willing to attend the park this year. Also, having guests attend the park is crucial for the park to make money/generate revenue. While yes, this year the attendance may be lower compared to other years, some attendance is much better of than none and it all counts. Just like there are those who flock to the park on rainy days, or when its cold etc...I know there will be those who will come to the park this year, even in/during this pandemic currently going on. 

The biggest concern that I know several people will have is what's going to happen to Six Flags Great America if they don't open this year? Hundreds to thousands of employees will be with out a job. The park being closed means they aren't making any money/revenue so that happens if they file for bankruptcy? Governor J.B. Pritzker said "large gatherings over 50 people won't be allowed until Phase 5". As we all well know, Phase 5 is a long way out meaning it have an impact on Six Flags Great America being able to reopen. Also he mentioned something along the lines of "Phase 5 is when there will be a vaccine or an effective treatment". Again, we all know very well that both a vaccine and a possible treatment are also a long way out and lets say a vaccine and/or effective treatment is never developed, then what? He's just going to keep it closed forever? A business like Six Flags Great America should not and cannot be closed for 9-15 months. 

I personally had the absolute honor and privilege to work at Six Flags Great America for three (3) seasons in the Rides Department and have made special connections and friendships while working at a place that I call home that continue to this day. When working at Six Flags, the people who you work with are more than just employees, they are your friends and often times considered family. I know several employees are eager to return to work this year, be with their fellow employees and help make memories and differences in many guests/people's lives. There are multiple employees who are dedicated, passionate and honored to work at such a great park like Six Flags Great America who will be willing to work in any conditions. Some employees I know have worked at the parks for years and some since it first opened in 1976 and keep coming back to work each year.  Again, I am very well aware that some may not want to risk their safety and health and I certainly support their decision and hold nothing against them.

Six Flags Great America has also been my "Home Park" for more than 15 years and in that time, I have been to the park more than 100 times, and have never got sick of going. It's because of that strong, special connection I have with the park along with many others that we are requesting that the park be allowed to open this summer and not wait until Phase 5. 

While we understand and know very well that the safety and health of the guests and employees is always top priority, I have no doubt in my mind and can promise you based on my experience working at the park for three (3) years, and my special connection with having Six Flags as my "Home Park" for all those years that the park will have no problem following the guidelines/policies/procedures addressed and laid out by the CEO of the company, Michael Spanos and will be committed to the guests and employees safety and will be eager to welcome the guests back to the park for the 2020 season. I can assure you that the park will stay on top of making sure their guests and employees are actively following the safety measures in place and will take action should someone not follow the rules. 

If possible, we are kindly requesting that the park has a chance to open this year for the 2020 season while following the guidelines Michael Spanos has put in place for the parks when they reopen and be allowed to thrill many people this summer and for the employees who love their jobs and co workers to return to work. Please take this as well as all the people signing the petition into consideration when making your decision. 

Thank you for your time and understanding.