Gov. Pritzker Issues Stay at Home Order to Combat Coronavirus

CHICAGO—Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statewide stay at home order on Friday that took effect at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The order calls for the cessation of all non-essential business and operations, aside from minimum basic operations. Business can continue with employees working from home. Minimum basic operations include 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, state officials noted.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced on Sunday there were 296 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including an infant. IDPH also announced three deaths from the Coronavirus.

“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 Gov. 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,” Gov. Pritzker added.

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 the stay at home order.

The order closes licensed child care centers and all childcare homes serving more than six children.

The stay at home order permits a range of activities which include but are not limited to:

Essential Activities

• For health and safety: seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care professional

• 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

• For outdoor activity: walking, hiking, running or biking – including going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, except for playgrounds

• 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

• To take care of others: Caring for or transporting a family member, friend or pet in another household

Essential Government Functions

• 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

• This Executive Order does not apply to the United States government.

Essential Businesses and Operations

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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, 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

• Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery and pick-up services

• Educational institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions

• Laundry services

• Restaurants for consumption off-premises

• Supplies to work from home

• Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations

• Transportation, for purposes of Essential Travel

• Home-based care and services

• Residential facilities and shelters

• Professional services

• Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order

• Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries

• Critical labor union functions

• Hotels and motels, to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carry-out food services, and

• Funeral services.