 Guidelines as well as toolkits for businesses can be
found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO) website,
HERE.
“In every aspect of our pandemic response, and especially as we
begin to safely reopen meaningful swaths of our economy, our number
one priority must be the health and safety of our workers, our
customers, and Illinoisans at large,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“The industry-specific baseline guidance for businesses the
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity released today will
help employers re-open their doors in Phase 3 in line with that
priority. In order to cover as many unique aspects of industry as
possible, my administration collected input from hundreds of
industry participants across the state and these guidelines reflect
the questions and ideas brought to us by businesses of every size,
background, and region in the state – and prioritize public health
as our guiding light. You can’t build a strong economy if people
aren’t comfortable being a part of it.”
Phase 3 of Restore Illinois is expected to bring approximately
700,000 Illinoisans back to the workplace, a key step towards
getting the Illinois economy back on track—with an estimated 20
percent, or $150 billion in annual GDP, of the overall economy
returned to operations.
In addition to industry-specific guidelines, DCEO and the Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) developed a common set of
standards all businesses must follow. Those standards include the
required use of face coverings, social distancing, and informational
signage on site, among other preventative measures.
DCEO also developed a downloadable toolkit for businesses to help
them re-open and comply with new guidelines. The toolkit includes
signage, training checklists and other resources to help business
owners and workers implement safety procedures and precautions from
IDPH. Materials will soon be made available in multiple languages,
including Spanish, Polish, Chinese and other most commonly spoken
languages in Illinois.
The Pritzker administration has launched nearly $100 million in
resources in the past few weeks to help businesses impacted by
COVID-19 – including the Downstate Small Business Stabilization
Program, the Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, the Emergency
Hospitality Assistance Grant, and the Fast Track Capital Grants. The
administration continues to look for ways to provide ongoing
assistance for businesses across the state. A full list of resources
made available to small businesses and communities can be found on
DCEO's
website.
“The move to phase 3 marks a milestone achievement in our efforts to
protect all Illinois communities and overcome the COVID-19
pandemic,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of IDPH. “IDPH will
continue working closely with local public health departments,
businesses and communities across our state to refine our public
health response based on the latest data, expand testing and contact
tracing, and sustain our overall progress in overcoming COVID-19.”
DCEO consulted extensively with over 200 businesses, industry
leaders, chambers of commerce, industry associations and trade
representatives from around the state to consider the unique aspects
and operations of each business industry that is preparing to
re-open.
In addition to the return to work and reopening of specific
businesses, Phase 3 permits the following: small group gatherings of
10 or fewer; participation in select sports and outdoor activities,
including tennis, boating and camping; and other activities where
safe social distancing can be practiced. Residents must continue to
follow public health guidelines around social distancing,
sanitization and face coverings.
“New guidance provided by the State today will help ensure a safe
reopening for businesses, customers and communities at large,” said
Michael Negron, Assistant Director of DCEO. “As Illinois works
toward its recovery, DCEO is committed to providing businesses
across our state clear and actionable guidance that will allow them
to implement safe operations so they can get back on track.”
Restore Illinois is a five-phase plan focused on saving lives,
livelihood, and safely reopening Illinois. The phased approach is
guided by health metrics and coupled with investments in hospital
capacity, ramping up testing, and establishing a comprehensive
contact tracing system to ensure communities continue to make
progress in bending the curve of COVID-19. This initial plan can and
will be updated as research and science develop and as the potential
for effective treatments or vaccines is realized. All guidelines for
phases are informed by public health data, a review of other states,
and CDC guidelines.
“All manufacturing in Illinois will be able to operate under these
guidelines as Illinois moves to the next phase of Restore Illinois.
This is a milestone for the manufacturing sector that employs
592,000 women and men on factory floors, many of whom were already
working on the front lines making life-saving equipment, producing
food, or equipping first responders,” said Mark Denzler, President &
CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We appreciate the
Governor’s Administration for engaging with the IMA and
manufacturers across the state in this process and accepting some of
our recommendations. Manufacturers look forward to releasing their
collective economic might to help our economy recover.”
“The outdoor operational guidelines provided by Governor Pritzker
and his team prioritize health and safety while allowing our state’s
eating and drinking establishments to start bringing their team
members back to work,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO, Illinois
Restaurant Association. “We are pleased to see Phase 3 outdoor
guidelines extend to a range of food and beverage service providers,
and while we recognize this is not a solution for every business, we
are encouraged by the creative plans in progress by local
municipalities to implement measures that will help broaden the
opportunities. This is one step forward in getting our restaurants
and bars open in a safe, measured way while allowing diners to come
back to the places and experiences they’ve missed.”
“While all of us are focused on maintaining the health, safety and
welfare of our residents, we are equally focused on returning to an
active, meaningful economy and positive, interpersonal social
interactions,” said Brad Cole, Executive Director of the Illinois
Municipal League.
“On behalf of the businesses in Coles County, I appreciate the
effort the Pritzker administration made to consider and solicit
guidance from regional businesses as the state moves into Phase 3 of
the Restore Illinois plan,” said Angela Griffin, President of Coles
County Together. “Listening to leaders across sectors and across the
state assures the nuances of operating a business in the central
region are given adequate consideration in ways that both protect
our citizens’ health and preserve their livelihood.”
“Thanks to the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity for
hosting the Focus Group on Covid-19 and the impacts on business
operations,” said Kevin Davis, Vice President of Pepsi MidAmerica.
“We have maintained a very clean and safe environment as an
essential employer throughout this entire process, so the check-list
we went through was of value to confirm all of our responses and
determine all of the areas to be considered.”
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“The Great River Economic Development Foundation and
several key Quincy and Adams County businesses were very
appreciative of the opportunity to meet with representatives of DCEO
to discuss our regional challenges, the status of our businesses and
to work on strategies within the guidelines of the ReStore Illinois
plan,” said Marcel Wagner, Executive Director, Great River Economic
Development Foundation. “Quincy and Adams County have been working
on a toolkit for businesses to use which aligned very well with the
information in presented yesterday by DCEO. All of our participating
businesses felt that our information was well received and be a part
of the Phase 3 planning.”
“As we start to reopen our businesses and workplaces, having
guidelines and best practices will be beneficial to our employers
and staff. Thank you for taking time to hear local input into the
process,” said Alene Carr, Executive Director of Southeastern
Regional Planning.
“The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance appreciates Illinois DCEO
allowing us and our area businesses to provide feedback and
suggestions for these important guidelines,” said Ryan McCrady, CEO
of Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, Springfield Illinois.
“Gaining input from those businesses affected by the guidelines will
certainly improve the compliance and practicality of the
provisions.”
“The Quad Cities Chamber continues to advocate for a timely, safe
and responsible reopening of the Quad Cities economy. I appreciate
Governor Pritzker’s willingness to allow us to review and provide
input on Illinois’ draft guidelines in advance of their release,”
said Paul Rumler, CEO of Quad Cities Chamber. “As impacted Illinois
businesses look forward to the Phase 3 reopening, the Chamber asks
the state to provide clear guidelines to companies for robust, yet
manageable, health protections. Doing so helps balance businesses
reopening in a safe manner while also protecting the health of their
employees and customers they serve.”
“The pandemic has brought Illinois’ tourism and hospitality industry
to its knees and that has translated to more than half of the
employees in the sector becoming unemployed,” said John Groh,
President/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Reopening our state’s economy safely, responsibility and
sustainably is critical. So, I was very pleased to have bene invited
to represent our local industry partners in reviewing and providing
feedback on Phase 3 re-opening guidelines.”
“On behalf of the many health and fitness centers that operate as
business units within Illinois Park Districts and Recreation
Departments, we appreciate the thoughtful considerations made by the
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois
Department of Public Health in regard to Phase 3 opening
procedures,” said Ron Oestreich, Execitove Director of Bolingbrook
Park District. “Our members’ health and wellness will be the
ultimate beneficiary of these considerations.”
“Thank you for inviting me to participate in a very important
subject for the region, keeping employees safe while operating a
manufacturing business. I believe we are in this together and need
to all do our part in staying safe. Being part of an essential
business has allowed us to experience and develop our processes to
help create the guidelines for a safer future,” said Erik Perks,
Plant Manager of General Cable. “Greater Peoria EDC was happy to
help DCEO put a focus group of local businesses together, and was
appreciative of being allowed to provide feedback around some the
guidelines.”
“We would like to thank the Governor’s Office and the DCEO for
putting together the task force and listening to our concerns as
local and small business owners. The open discussion was refreshing
and informative,” said Stephanie Clark, Chief Executive Officer and
Rebecca Garland, Chief Compliance Officer, of VeriFacts, LLC,
Sterling Illinois.
“I appreciated hearing the input of the other participants and plans
for reopening,” said Angela Rowe, Owner of Decorating Den & Saline
County Chamber.
“We would like to thank Governor JB Pritzker and DCEO for reaching
out to the Greater Sterling Development Corporation to provide
regional coordination of local business input into the guidelines
being released for phase 3 of Restore Illinois. When government
agencies listen to business concerns, everyone benefits,” said
Heather Sotelo, Executive Director of Greater Sterling Development
Corporation. “Our hope is by participating in these conversations,
we will keep our businesses open and provide a safe environment for
our citizens to work, shop and eat thus moving more quickly to the
next phase.”
“I appreciate the opportunity given to me from DCEO and Governor JB
Pritzker inviting me to participate in panel discussions regarding
the re-opening of Illinois, and given a chance to voice my opinions
and concerns on the guidelines pertaining to retail establishments
like mine,” said John Brady, Owner of JJM Printing, Sterling
Illinois.
“I appreciate the chance to engage in the dialogue regarding the
proposed reopening guidelines,” said Bart Hagston, Administrator,
Jackson County Health Department. “Forward progress depends upon
having solid, carefully considered guidelines.”
“The Leadership Council SWIL supports DCEO efforts to reopen
business in our region! We also appreciate guidelines that will
inform the process of reopening given the current COVID-19 virus
still existing in our communities. Reopening of our economy and
putting people back to work balanced with a proactive and aggressive
testing, tracking, and containment of virus hotspot areas will
require all of us to lookout for each other by wearing masks and
social distancing for the foreseeable future. This virus has brought
out the best in many of us to do the right thing for the health of
our friends, neighbors, and communities in a consistent and
sustained manner,” said Ronda Sauget, CEO of Southwestern Leadership
Council, Metro East. “Many businesses have worked hard to develop
strong plans to follow the guidelines as appropriate for their
business and for their customers. We salute all of the frontline and
essential workers who have been working diligently setting a strong
example for all of us to follow as we look forward to reopening more
businesses. Please stay safe and we look forward to better times
ahead!”
“The Professional Beauty Association is very appreciative of the
opportunity to work together with the state of Illinois in a
collaborative effort to implement safe guidelines for the reopening
process of salons,” said Myra Y. Irizarry Reddy, Director,
Government Affairs of Professional Beauty Association. “PBA applauds
the administration for their careful approach to ensure the safety
of licensed beauty professionals and their clients.”
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker] |
