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 The order takes effect 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21,
2020. In addition to the stay at home provisions, it also orders all
local government units across the state to halt all evictions and
bans gatherings of more than 10 people.
“We are doing all that we can to maintain as much normalcy as
possible while taking the steps we must to protect our residents,”
said Governor JB Pritzker. “I fully recognize that in some cases I
am choosing between saving people’s lives and saving their
livelihoods. But ultimately, you can’t have a livelihood without a
life. This will not last forever, but it's what we must do to
support the people on the front lines of this fight, and the people
most vulnerable to its consequences.”
“This action underscores the seriousness of the situation and
reinforces what many people all across Illinois are already doing to
protect themselves, their neighbors and the community at large,”
said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Please, take this
seriously, stay inside, limit your travel and be responsible for not
just your own health, but everyone else’s, too.”
“During these unprecedented times, it is important we do what we can
to prevent the spread of this virus. Simply staying home and
following these best practices will help ensure our families, our
neighborhoods and our communities remain safe,” said Senate
Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “It is also important
that we not panic. Essential businesses and services will remain
open and available. We will get through this if we all work
together.”
“I commend Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot’s leadership, and
join them in urging people to adhere to this ‘stay at home’ order to
help flatten the curve and ultimately save lives,” said House
Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago). “We should all rest assured
that we will continue to have regular access to groceries,
medication, gas and other essential services. We will get through
this together by following the advice of experts and giving doctors,
nurses and first responders a chance to fight this disease. I want
to extend my full gratitude to the frontline medical personnel
working hard to save lives. By adhering to this order and following
best medical advice, we can stand with them in this fight.”
“This is a critical time for our state and our nation, and we must
take any and all steps, including the governor's action today, to
reduce the number of those affected by this virus so that we can
return to our normal way of life as quickly as possible,” said House
Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R- Western Springs)
“Every action we’ve taken so far is based on the latest science and
data from health officials as we combat the dynamic spread of
COVID-19, and this is no exception,” said Chicago Mayor Lori
Lightfoot. “This decision was not an easy one, but Governor
Pritzker’s order for Illinois residents to stay at home is the right
thing to do to ensure we are protecting the health and wellbeing of
our residents. We strongly encourage our residents to follow the
guidelines and ensure the safety of their neighbors as we work to
confront this crisis together.”
THE SCIENCE
Over the last several months, the Governor has consulted with
medical experts, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers to
understand the progression of COVID-19 and the measures needed to
keep Illinoisans safe.
The administration has looked closely at the trajectory of
coronavirus in countries like Italy and China. It is clear that left
unchecked, cases in Illinois will rise rapidly and mirror the
consequences experienced by other countries. Hospital systems would
be overwhelmed, protective equipment would become scarce, and there
would not be enough health care workers, hospital beds, or
ventilators for the influx of sick patients.
In consulting with these experts, it is clear the most effective
strategy available to Illinois is mitigation. That means limiting
the increase in cases to ensure our healthcare system has capacity
to treat those who become ill. The most aggressive form of this
strategy is a stay at home order, which the administration is now
implementing.
STAY AT HOME ORDER
All first responders, emergency management personnel, law
enforcement personnel, health care workers and others working to
support Essential Businesses and Essential Government Functions like
grocery stores and pharmacies are exempt from this stay at home
order.
The governor’s action today formalizes his calls this week for
Illinoisans to stay home as much as possible, aside from meeting
their basic needs. In that regard, the stay at home order permits a
range of activities that will allow Illinoisans to get their
necessities while maintaining social distance from others, which
include but are not limited to:
Essential Activities:
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For health and safety: seeking emergency services, obtaining
medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care
professional
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For necessary supplies and services: obtaining groceries and
food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work
from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety,
sanitation and essential operation of residences
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For outdoor activity: walking, hiking, running or biking –
including going to public parks and open outdoor recreation
areas, except for playgrounds
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For certain types of work: Providing essential products and
services at Essential Businesses or Operations or otherwise
carrying out activities specifically permitted in the order,
including Minimum Basic Operations
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To
take care of others: Caring for or transporting a family member,
friend or pet in another household
Essential Government Functions:
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All services provided by state and local governments needed to
ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and
provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public
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This Executive Order does not apply to the United States
government
Essential Businesses and Operations:
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Healthcare and Public Health Operations:
Working at or obtaining services from hospitals; clinics; dental
offices; pharmacies; public health entities; healthcare
manufacturers and suppliers; blood banks; medical cannabis
facilities; reproductive health care providers; eye care
centers; home healthcare services providers; mental health and
substance use providers; ancillary healthcare services —
including veterinary care and excluding fitness and exercise
gyms, spas, salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, and similar
facilities
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Human Services Operations:
any provider funded by DHS, DCFS or Medicaid; long-term care
facilities; home-based and residential settings for adults,
seniors, children, and/or people with disabilities or mental
illness; transitional facilities; field offices for food, cash
assistance, medical coverage, child care, vocational services or
rehabilitation services; developmental centers; adoption
agencies; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social
services and other necessities of life for needy individuals —
excluding day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes
and day care centers licensed as specified in Section 12(s) of
the order
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Essential Infrastructure:
Working in food production, distribution and sale;
construction; building management and maintenance; airport
operations; operation and maintenance of utilities, including
water, sewer, and gas; electrical; distribution centers; oil and
biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public
transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control;
solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet,
video, and telecommunications systems
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Stores that sell groceries and medicine
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Food, beverage and cannabis production and agriculture
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Organizations that provide charitable and social services
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Media
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Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation
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Financial institutions
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Hardware and supply stores
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Critical trades, including plumbers, electricians,
exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and
governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers,
HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other
service providers that maintain the safety, sanitation and
essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and
Essential Businesses and Operations
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Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery and pick-up services
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Educational institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance
learning, performing critical research, or performing essential
functions
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Laundry services
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Restaurants for consumption off-premises
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Supplies to work from home
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Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations
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Transportation, for purposes of Essential Travel
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Home-based care and services
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Residential facilities and shelters
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Professional services
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Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order
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Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical
products and industries
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Critical labor union functions
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Hotels and motels, to the extent used for lodging and delivery
or carry-out food services
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Funeral services
All non-essential business and operations must
cease, aside from Minimum Basic Operations. Business can continue
with employees working from home. Minimum Basic Operations includes
the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of inventory,
preserve plant and equipment condition, ensure security, process
payroll and employee benefits and facilitate employees working
remotely.
The order also closes licensed child care centers and all childcare
homes serving more than six children. The Pritzker administration is
working to expand the availability of child care for essential
workers, while protecting the health of the children and child care
teachers and home providers. A new Emergency Child Care Center
license is being created with more flexibility but much smaller
group sizes to ensure social distancing for children in care.
Only essential travel is permitted at this time and must be done in
accordance with social distancing requirements.
That includes travel related to:
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Performing Essential Activities, Essential Governmental
Functions, Essential Businesses and Operations or Minimum Basic
Operations
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Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with
disabilities or other vulnerable persons
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Receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals,
and any other related services from an educational institution
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Returning to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction
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Following the direction of law enforcement or court order,
including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement
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Returning to a place of residence outside the
State for non-residents
In addition to halting evictions statewide, the
Governor is directing additional resources to organizations across
the state to serve those experiencing homelessness.
For those whose residence is or becomes an unsafe place, please call
the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-863-6338.
Finally, the Governor encourages Illinoisans to come together during
this time of crisis and reminds the public that this is not a virus
tied to a specific ethnic group or race. Suggesting otherwise – or
engaging in acts of racism against a specific community – runs
counter to our values.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE SICK
Every Illinoisan plays a role in ensuring our health care system
remains fully operational to treat patients in need of urgent care.
If you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, including COVID-19,
the first thing you should do is:
Call a health care provider, like your primary care physician or a
health clinic. But please, do not walk directly into an emergency
room or a doctor’s office.
A health care provider will ask about your symptoms and potential
exposures. If they think you need medical care, they will help
arrange medical treatment without putting others at risk of
exposure.
If you meet certain criteria, you may be tested for COVID-19, but as
testing expands, those with severe illness and those at higher risk
of complications are being prioritized.
People whose symptoms are mild — which will be most people — will be
able to isolate at home during their illness, and they should follow
the directives of their health care providers.
For health-related inquiries, contact the Illinois Department of
Public Health by calling 1-800-889-3931 or visiting
IDPH.illinois.gov.
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER] |
