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 Mask mandate started May 1, stay home until May 30
Illinoisans over 2 years old were ordered starting May 1 to wear masks when in
public and unable to maintain a 6-foot social distance, Gov. J.B. Pritzker
announced April 23. He also ordered they must stay home until May 30 to prevent
the spread of COVID-19. Some restrictions were eased on 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.
How many people have coronavirus in Illinois and where do they live?
There were 46 more deaths reported May 4 for a total of 2,662 related to the
coronavirus in Illinois. There were 2,341 new confirmed cases reported Monday,
bringing the total to 63,840 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 Monday included: in Cook County, one female in her
20s, one female in her 30s, one female in her 40s, one male in his 50s, two
females and one male in their 60s, two females and three males in their 70s, six
females and one male in their 80s, and one female and one male in their 90s; in
DuPage County, one male in his 70s, one female in her 80s, and one male in his
90s; in Iroquois County, one female in her 60s; in Lake County, one male in his
50s, one female and three males in their 70s, and two females and one male in
their 80s; in Macon County, one male in his 70s; in Madison County, one female
in her 60s, and one male in his 90s; in Monroe County, one male in his 70s; in
Sangamon County, one female older than 100; in St. Clair County, one female in
her 80s; in Will County, one female in her 30s, one male in his 50s, three
females in their 70s, and one male in his 80s; and in Winnebago County, one male
in his 50s.
The total counties reporting COVID-19 cases is 97. 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 2,662 deaths, 1,802
have been in Cook County and 1,021 of those in Chicago. No new
counties reported cases as the total grew to 63,840 cases in 97 Illinois
counties on May 4 from 105 cases in 15 counties on March 16. Cases were reported
in Adams, Alexander, Bond, Boone, Brown, 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 63,840 reported. The state tested over
333,147 specimens for the virus as of Monday. IDPH has been updating the spread
at 2:30 p.m. daily.
 Statewide, COVID-19 was infecting 504 of
every 100,000 residents through May 4, compared to a national infection rate of
351 of every 100,000 residents. The infection rate was 849 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 81,245
new unemployment claims filed for the week ending April 25. That makes over
838,000 initial unemployment insurance claims in Illinois since businesses were
ordered closed as a result of the pandemic. Nationally, 3.8 million Americans
sought unemployment in that same week, bringing the U.S. total since the
beginning of March to 30.3 million. The Illinois Department of Employment
Security has struggled to keep up. It intends to add self-employed workers
starting May 11 with the funding for them that was 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 May 30. The order was originally
to expire April 7 but was extended by Pritzker on March 31 and again on April
23. One state lawmaker took Pritzker to court, challenging his ability to
continue issuing emergency declarations, and the judge agreed that Pritzker was
overstepping. The judge’s order only applies to that lawmaker, state Rep. Darren
Bailey, R-Xenia. A second lawmaker, state Rep. Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney
Park, also took up the legal challenge April 29 and is trying to extend it to
other Illinoisans. Pritzker’s executive 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. Starting May 1 they must also wear face masks when in public.
Pritzker’s list of essential workers was long, including health care, industry,
trades, food production and distribution. A complete list is below.
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.
What to do if you think you have coronavirus and how to stay healthy
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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.
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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.
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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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