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 Stay home until May 30, wear a mask starting May 1
Illinoisans must stay home until May 30, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday
afternoon during his daily press briefing on COVID-19. If over 2 years old,
starting May 1 they must wear masks when in public and unable to maintain a
6-foot social distance, he said. Some restrictions are being eased starting May
1, including: allowing non-essential retail stores to take online or phone
orders and fulfill them with curbside pickup or delivery; reopening some state
parks to hiking, fishing and boating with no more than two people per boat;
allowing some elective medical procedures; and letting nurseries and greenhouses
open with proper social distancing. Pritzker already canceled the rest of the
school year and had hinted the order for non-essential workers to remain home
could be extended. The coronavirus was expected to peak sometime in mid- to late
April, but that projection has been pushed back to mid-May as a result of the
curve being flattened by the order that non-essential businesses close and
people remain at home, Pritzker said April 21. The stay-at-home order started
March 21 and was to expire April 30 before the latest extension. Chicago Mayor
Lori Lightfoot said previously that the order could go well into June. “I would
expect an extension of the stay-at-home order and the other orders that were put
in place as a result of the response to COVID-19 to go through sometime in May.
It certainly could go into June. June 30 is just kind of an outside marker,”
Lightfoot said during a press conference. Three states – Georgia, Tennessee and
South Carolina – are currently moving to restart their economies, with Georgia
residents able to get a haircut and massage starting Friday and then catch
dinner and a movie on Monday.
School’s out for summer
Illinois schools will remain closed for the remainder of this school year,
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced April 17. “The importance of our schools
and our in-person school days is not just a question of tradition and
sentimentality, as essential as those things are – the shutting of in-person
classroom time also risks a drop in instructional time, an extended window in
which students can potentially experience summer learning loss, and an
educational landscape in which some districts have more experience with remote
learning than others,” Pritzker said April 17. “These challenges weighed heavily
on me as we came to this decision – but my priority remains unchanged: how do we
save the most lives during this difficult time? The answer to that question
leaves us only with the path forward.” Illinois students have been off school
since March 17. Pritzker’s order to close all schools was to expire April 30.
How many people have coronavirus in Illinois and where do they live?
There were 123 more deaths reported April 23 for a total of 1,688 related to the
coronavirus. There were 1,826 new confirmed cases reported Thursday, bringing
the total to 36,934 in Illinois. Approximately 85% of fatalities are among
patients age 60 and older, IDPH reported. The first Illinois death was on March
17. Deaths reported Thursday included: in Boone County, one male in his 80s; in
Champaign County, one male in his 90s; in Cook County, one male in his 20s, one
male in his 30s, two females and one male in their 40s, three females and three
males in their 50s, three females and seven males in their 60s, nine females and
13 males in their 70s, eight females and eight males in their 80s, and 10
females and two males in their 90s; in DuPage County, one male in his 60s, four
females and three males in their 70s, one female and three males in their 80s,
and two females in their 90s; in Fayette County, one female in her 90s; in
Jackson County, one female in her 70s; in Kane County, one male in his 70s, and
one male in his 90s; in Kankakee County, one female and four males in their 80s;
in Kendall County, one male in his 70s; in Lake County, one male in his 60s, two
females and three males in their 70s, two females and two males in their 80s,
and one male older than 100; in McHenry County, one female and one male in their
40s, one female in her 70s, and one male in his 80s; in Sangamon County, one
male in his 70s; in Will County, one male in his 50s, one male in his 60s, two
females in their 70s, one female and one male in their 80s, and two males in
their 90s; and in Winnebago County, one female in her 60s, and one male in his
80s.
The total counties reporting COVID-19 cases is 96. State officials on March 17
announced the first death in Illinois attributed to the coronavirus – a Chicago
woman in her 60s with an underlying health condition who was diagnosed with
COVID-19 earlier in March. Of the state’s 1,688 deaths, 1,142 have been in Cook
County and 641 of those in Chicago.
No new counties reported cases as the total grew to 36,934
cases in 96 Illinois counties on April 23 from 105 cases in 15 counties on March
16. Cases were reported in Adams, Alexander, Bond, Boone, Bureau, Calhoun,
Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Cook,
Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, DeWitt, Douglas, DuPage, Effingham, Fayette, Ford,
Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Hancock,
Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess,
Johnson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Lawrence, Lee,
Livingston, Logan, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion,
Marshall, Mason, Massac, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie,
Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island,
Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair, Schuyler, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell,
Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside, Will,
Williamson, Winnebago and Woodford counties. Because of the lack of testing
abilities, delays in results and the behavior of the virus, the number of people
with coronavirus in Illinois is likely significantly higher than the 36,934
reported. The state tested over 173,316 specimens for the virus as of Wednesday.
IDPH has been updating the spread at 2:30 p.m. daily. Statewide,
COVID-19 was infecting 291 of very 100,000 residents through April 23, compared
to a national infection rate of 245 of every 100,000 residents. The infection
rate was 501 of every 100,000 residents in Cook County, the highest infection
rate in Illinois and over double the national rate. Cases are being tracked by
ZIP code on this map compiled by the Chicago Tribune.
Economic impacts of COVID-19 in Illinois
Illinois’ unemployment claims were hitting record levels, with more than 102,736
new unemployment claims filed for the week ending April 18. That makes over
757,000 initial unemployment insurance claims in Illinois since businesses were
ordered closed as a result of the pandemic. Nationally, 4.4 million Americans
sought unemployment in that same week, bringing the U.S. total since the
beginning of March to 26.5 million. The Illinois Department of Employment
Security has struggled to keep up. No timeline has been offered for adding
self-employed workers despite funding for them being provided by the federal
government. The job sectors immediately impacted by the COVID-19
virus employ 24% of Illinois’ job force, or 1.5 million workers. The sectors
were responsible for $100 billion in Illinois economic activity last year, or
$103 million per day. Depending on the length of the closures, COVID-19 is
expected to take away between 24% to 50% of the nation’s gross domestic product,
worth between $54 billion and $113 billion.
The Illinois Policy Institute has recommended the state enact measures to blunt
the economic damage from the virus. They include delaying commercial property
tax payments, suspending collection of traffic fees and fines that do not impact
public safety, and removing the progressive tax question from the Nov. 3 ballot
so small businesses and the state economy are not hit by $3.7 billion in new
taxes just as the economic recovery is expected to begin.
Illinois issues ‘shelter-in-place’ order
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a “shelter-in-place” order that started 5
p.m., Saturday, March 21, for all of Illinois. The drastic order intended to
curb the spread of the virus continues through April 30, and schools were
ordered to remain closed until then as well. The order was originally to expire
April 7 but was extended by Pritzker on March 31. The order means Illinoisans
should stay home as much as possible, but allows them to take walks, drive on
both local roads and interstate highways as well as go to grocery stores, gas
stations and pharmacies.Pritzker’s list of essential workers was long, including
health care, industry, trades, food production and distribution. A complete list
is below.
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What to do if you think you have coronavirus and
how to stay healthy
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, shortness of breath and
coughing. The strength of the symptoms will vary from person to
person. If an individual exhibits symptoms, it is imperative they
immediately minimize contact with other people. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has a list of directions for infected
people to follow:
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Stay in a single room in your home away from
other people.
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Call ahead to your doctor, health care provider
or emergency room to let them know you may have coronavirus so
they can prepare for your arrival and limit your exposure to
others.
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If you are sick, wear a face mask.
Cover your coughs and sneezes. Then, wash your hands with soap
and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
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Avoid touching your face. Your eyes, nose and
mouth are the easiest way to transfer the virus into your body
from your hands.
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Do not share things with others. This includes
eating utensils, cups, dishes, towels or even bedding.
Avoid contact with pets. If you must come in contact for their
care, wash hands before and after.
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Clean frequently. Disinfect surfaces in your
house including tables, sinks, toilets, phones and computers.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may
not need medical attention and can remain in your home for 14 days
until the symptoms subside. Remember, there is no treatment for the
coronavirus, but the strength of symptoms is different for each
person. This why it is important to minimize contact as much as
possible. Check the CDC website for more information.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also provides information
specific to the state about best practices and information for
dealing with exposure to the virus.
IDPH also maintains a hotline at 800-889-3931. It supports English
and Spanish at present but will soon be in Polish and Mandarin as
well. You can email questions to
dph.sick@illinois.gov.
Social distancing
The best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to practice social
distancing. Social distancing means staying away from others as much
as possible, both in public and private spaces. The IDPH further
outlines exactly how Illinoisans can practice social distancing:
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Stay six feet away from others. Exchange verbal
greetings instead of hugs or handshakes. Chicago officials also
recommend an elbow bump instead of a handshake.
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Work with your employer to find alternate ways
to work. While many jobs require social interaction and must go
on, those who work in offices should find ways to work remotely
and minimize in-person meetings.
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Avoid public transportation and travel in
general to areas with high rates of the coronavirus.
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Avoid going to large events. The state has
already taken action to limit event sizes to fewer than 1,000
people and has asked any event with over 250 people be canceled
through May 1. Avoid going to any sporting event that has not
been canceled, visiting crowded stores or attending religious
services. The Archdiocese of Chicago canceled all Masses in Cook
and Lake counties until further notice.
For more information on how to practice social
distancing, visit the IDPH’s website. Experts believe social
distancing is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association has published a list of
grocery stores adopting special shopping hours for senior citizens
and other vulnerable residents.
Policy responses
State and local leaders have taken a variety of actions in response
to the coronavirus.
Shelter in place for non-essential workers: Pritzker ordered people
to stay home statewide from 5 p.m., March 21, through April 30. He
defined essential workers as: Health care and public health
operations, human services operations, essential infrastructure,
stores that sell groceries and medicine, food, beverage and cannabis
production and agriculture, organizations that provide charitable
and social services, media, gas stations and businesses needed for
transportation, financial institutions, hardware and supply stores,
critical trades, mail and delivery services, educational
institutions to provide distance learning, laundry services,
restaurants for consumption off-premises, supplies to work from home
or for essential businesses, home-based care and services,
residential facilities and shelters, professional services, day care
centers for employees exempted by the executive order, manufacture,
distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries,
critical labor union functions, hotels and motels for lodging or
carry-out food services, and funeral services.
Bars and restaurants: Pritzker announced all restaurants and bars in
Illinois will be closed to dine-in service from March 16 through at
least April 30. Establishments will still be allowed to continue
drive-thru and take-out services, including pickup and delivery.
Schools: Schools in Illinois will also be closed through April 7.
Chicago Public School will be closed until April 20, Mayor Lori
Lightfoot said. Pritzker’s order applies to all schools with
students in kindergarten through seniors in high school. Day care
centers will still be allowed to remain open to care for children of
essential workers. Universities across the state have also suspended
most in-person learning. Many have moved all classes online for the
remainder of the spring semester and told their students to move
home.
Unemployment: On March 11 the Pritzker Administration announced it
was filing emergency rules so those unemployed as a result of the
COVID-19 outbreak could receive benefits. For the week ending March
28 there were more than 178,000 new unemployment benefits claims,
about 1800% more than the same week a year earlier. The Illinois
Department of Employment Security has a guide to COVID-19 and
unemployment benefits, including answers to frequently asked
questions. IDES offices closed to the public on March 19 to prevent
the virus from spreading, but services are available online or by
phone. To file an unemployment claim, click here. IDES staff can
answer questions by calling 800-244-5631, or persons using TTY
devices may call 866-488-4016. Benefits certification can be
performed at this link or by calling 312-338-4337 between 5 a.m. and
7:30 p.m. weekdays.
Primary elections: The March 17 primary elections went forward as
planned, despite state guidance to cancel gatherings of over 50
people and federal guidance to limit gatherings to 10 people or
fewer. The chief spokesman for Chicago’s Board of Election
Commissioners told reporters March 17 that local election officials
on March 11 requested Pritzker suspend in-person voting. Ohio shut
down polling places ahead of the March 17 primary. Ohio Health
Director Dr. Amy Acton ordered the closures to “avoid the imminent
threat with a high probability of widespread exposure to COVID-19
with a significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of the
people in the general population, including the elderly and people
with weakened immune systems and chronic medical conditions.”
Georgia and Louisiana also postponed their primary elections, which
were slated for late March.
Public events: Pritzker recommended avoiding any gathering of more
than 10 people. Gatherings have been canceled until at least May 1.
In addition, Pritzker spoke with the owners of all major sports
teams in Illinois and asked they not host any home games until at
least May 1. The owners agreed, meaning the home opener for the Cubs
and White Sox will not take place until at least May 1 and possibly
as late as July depending on how Major League Baseball reacts to the
situation. The Bulls and Blackhawks will most likely not play at the
United Center again this season based on this recommendation and
their playoff chances.
Casinos: All 10 casinos in Illinois have been told by state gambling
regulators to shut their doors through April 30.
State parks: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also
announced they will be closing all state parks until further notice.
Toll roads: The Illinois Tollway also announced all tolls will need
to be paid electronically, and it will not operate toll booths
staffed by employees for the time being.
Metra: Metra cut weekday train service in half starting March 23,
due to severe drops in ridership.
Relief efforts for small businesses
United States Bartender Guild’s National Charity Foundation:
Offering emergency grants to bartenders.
The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation: Funds on-the-ground
relief efforts in the restaurant industry, zero-interest loans for
affected businesses and direct aid to workers.
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