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 “I have let the science guide our decisions and
I’ve relied upon the top medical experts, scientists, public health
researchers, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers, from the
greatest institutions in the world whose guidance on infection rates
and potential mortalities and protective measures is second to
none,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois has one of the strongest
public health systems in the nation – but even so, we aren’t immune
to this virus’ ability to push our existing capacity beyond its
limit. We need to maintain our course and keep working to flatten
the curve.”
“This may not be the measure that we like, but it is the measure we
all need to combat the deadly and growing COVID-19 crisis,” said
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “The City of Chicago fully supports
Governor Pritzker’s bold and necessary extension of the Stay at Home
Order, and stands ready to partner with the State and our health
officials as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead in
safeguarding our residents. We will get through this crisis together
and I want to thank all those who have been doing their part.”
EXTENSION OF STAY AT HOME ORDER
On March 20, the Governor announced a Stay at Home order after
consulting with medical experts, scientists, public health
researchers, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers to
understand the progression of COVID-19 and the measures needed to
flatten the curve.
The extension of the Stay at Home order will continue to permit a
range of essential activities that will allow Illinoisans to meet
their necessities while maintaining social distance from others.
Grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and other businesses
providing services deemed essential will not close.
Staying at home and social distancing are the paramount strategies
for minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Every
Illinoisan plays a role in ensuring our health care system remains
fully operational to treat patients in need of urgent care.
As of March 30, preliminary reports from hospitals statewide show
that 41 percent of our adult ICU beds are “empty”, which means they
are staffed and ready for immediate patient use, a two-percentage
point decrease in a week. As far as ventilators, 68% are available
statewide across Illinois, a four-percentage point drop in a week.
Statewide, about 35 percent of our total ICU beds are occupied by
COVID patients and about 24 percent of our total ventilators are
occupied by COVID patients. The state remains within its capacity,
and is working every day to increase its capacity to prepare for an
anticipated surge in hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in the
coming weeks.
Those experiencing symptoms should call a health care provider who
will help arrange medical treatment without putting others at risk
of exposure. The Illinois Department of Public Health has a
statewide COVID-19 hotline and website to answer any questions from
the public or to report a suspected case: call 1-800-889-3931 or
visit IDPH.illinois.gov. SUSPENSION OF
ON-SITE LEARNING
On March 13, the Governor announced a temporary statewide closure of
all K-12 schools to minimize spread of COVID-19 across communities.
Child care providers who have been licensed to operate to provide
care to the children of essential workers will remain open.
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Schools will transition from Act of God Days to Remote Learning
Days, with days counting toward the school year. Each school
district will create and implement a Remote Learning Day Plan to
ensure all students, including students with disabilities and
English Learners, receive instructional materials and can
communicate with their teachers.
To prepare, the Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) assembled
an advisory group of more than 60 educators to make recommendations
about instruction and grading during remote learning.
Schools can use up to five Remote Learning Planning Days at any time
to prepare and refine their approaches to remote learning. Schools
will design plans to minimize instructional loss and to provide
opportunities for students’ academic, linguistic, and
social-emotional growth.
Remote learning will look different for every district and every
school. School districts will create plans based on their local
resources and needs. Most districts will use a mix of digital and
non-digital methods of engaging students in learning.
As a part of their recommendations, the advisory group recommended
that grades be used only to increase students’ academic standing
with a recommendation that any grades that schools give during this
time be used as an opportunity for feedback and not an instrument
for compliance.
ISBE will continue to work in partnership with school districts to
address any questions and to provide guidance to educators and
administrators to protect and support Illinois students.
Illinois schools have worked diligently to meet the challenges
created by the COVID-19 pandemic with generosity, creativity, and a
resolute focus on caring for students and communities. Schools
across Illinois have shown remarkable agility in providing learning
opportunities and meals throughout this crisis and will continue to
work to address students’ needs.
“As we all come together to stay at home and out of harm’s way, we
must never forget the selfless service of Illinoisans on the
frontlines of this pandemic: our health care workers, first
responders, grocery workers, child care providers, letter carriers,
tradesmen and women, and so many more. They are going to work to
serve and protect us, putting themselves and their families at great
personal risk, because they have a job to do. Their sacrifices are
real and meaningful, and we should all take time to think about them
and thank them for keeping up the fight. We will all get through
this together,” said Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO.
“I stand with the governor, in full partnership with his team, as we
– the local elected officials from across our state – fully
cooperate to administer the various compliance and enforcement
components of your executive orders,” said Brad Cole, Executive
Director of the Illinois Municipal League. “The faster we seriously
comply with the executive orders, the faster we will be able to slow
and stop the spread of this virus, and the faster we will then be
able to turn-on the economic engines of Illinois communities, from
small to large.”
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER]
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