Pritzker Announces Efforts to Protect
Illinois Communities and Frontline Workers in Response to Ongoing
COVID-19 Pandemic
- Announces New IDPH Rules to Provide
Local Law Enforcement More Flexibility and a Measured Process to
Enforce Public Health Guidance
- Signs SB471 to Provide Additional Protections for Frontline
Workers, Expand Paid Disability Leave
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[August 12, 2020]
Building on efforts to protect Illinois’
workers and communities in response to the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) will file emergency rules for
businesses, schools, and child care establishments regarding the use
of face coverings and the size of gatherings. The governor also
signed SB471 to help protect workers who continue to serve on the
frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.
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“As I’ve visited with and listened to mayors and
health departments all across our state, it’s clear there is still
an even greater need to get people to wear masks – especially to
protect frontline workers, whether they’re at the front of a store
asking you to put on your mask or whether they’re responding to 911
calls to save those in distress,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These
rules, which provide multiple opportunities for compliance before
any penalty is issued, are a commonsense way to enforce public
health guidelines. Illinois has made substantial progress in our
fight against COVID-19 because the vast majority of communities and
business owners have done the right thing. These rules will help
ensure that the minority of people who refuse to act responsibly
won’t take our state backward.”
“We know that face coverings are key to helping prevent the spread
of COVID-19, but it only works if everyone wears them,” said IDPH
Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We are seeing cases increasing each day
and hearing about people not complying with the masking mandate.
This rule is an effort to help keep all of us healthy and decrease
the risk of contracting COVID-19.”
NEW IDPH COVID-19 EMERGENCY RULES
In an effort to maintain the progress we have made in Illinois’
COVID-19 pandemic response, the Pritzker administration is filing
emergency rules for businesses, schools, and child care
establishments regarding the use of face coverings and the size of
gatherings.
These rules provide multiple opportunities for compliance before any
penalty is issued, giving local health departments and local law
enforcement more leeway to support community public health in a
productive manner. While existing, pre-pandemic enforcement laws,
like revoking a license, are stringent and severe, these rules
provide flexibility for local communities and a measured process to
help keep people safe.
That process is as follows:
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First, businesses will be given a warning in the form of written
notice and encouraged to voluntarily comply with public health
guidance.
-
Second, businesses that do not voluntarily comply will be given
an order to have some or all of their patrons leave the premises
as needed to comply with public health guidance and reduce
risks.
-
Third, if the business continues to refuse to comply, the
business can receive a class A misdemeanor and be subject to a
fine ranging from $75-$2,500.
These rules do not apply to individuals and
penalties will not exceed a misdemeanor and a $75-$2,500 fine.
The emergency rules also reinforce the authority of IDPH and local
health departments to investigate COVID-19 cases and reaffirm that
businesses have a responsibility to cooperate with those
investigations.
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SENATE BILL 471
As Illinois’ essential workers continue to serve on the frontlines
of the fight against COVID-19, Governor Pritzker signed SB 471 to
expand workplace protections. To directly protect workers in retail,
the law adds a penalty for assaulting or battering a retail worker
who is conveying public health guidance, such as requiring patrons
to wear face-coverings or promoting social distancing. This
provision sends the message that it’s vitally important for workers
to be both respected and protected while serving on the front lines.
“As we continue to adapt to the changes forced on us by the current
pandemic, we have to also create a response that addresses the
long-time issues it has exacerbated,” said Senate Majority Leader
Kimberly A. Lightford. “Our essential workers put their lives at
risk for us to stay safe, and it is clear that we have to continue
to do better to protect working class people with a renewed
commitment to providing basic rights for everyone.”
“As our state faces the challenges created by the ongoing global
pandemic, we are doing all we can to support and protect our front
line and essential workers,” said State Representative Jay Hoffman.
“This legislation allows front line workers that have been impacted
by COVID-19 to focus on recovering while sending a clear message to
all our essential workers that we are behind them and will do all we
can to protect their safety and well-being.”
The law also increases paid disability leave for any injury that
occurs after March 9, 2020 by 60 days for firefighters, law
enforcement and paramedics whose recovery was hindered by COVID-19.
More specifically, eligible employees include:
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Any part-time or full-time State correctional officer or any
other full or part-time employee of the Department of
Corrections
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Any full or part-time employee of the Prisoner Review Board
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Any full or part-time employee of the Department of Human
Services working within a penal institution or a State mental
health or developmental disabilities facility operated by the
Department of Human Services
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Any full-time law enforcement officer or full-time firefighter
These measure build upon the Pritzker
administration’s efforts to protect the safety and livelihood of
Illinois residents by continuing to enforce all labor laws during
the pandemic.
SB 471 takes effect immediately.
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker] |