COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Governor JB Pritzker has announced a statewide ’Stay at Home’ Order, which takes effect at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.

In order to help prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout Illinois, Governor Pritzker announced on March 20 that he has signed a statewide ’Stay at Home’ Executive Order. This Executive Order is aimed at keeping our state’s health care system fully operational so patients who are in need of urgent care can continue to be treated.

In addition to the stay at home provisions, the Executive Order also states that all local governments across the state are to halt evictions of residents. The Order also bans all gatherings of 10 or more people.

The Order does exclude certain activities, functions, and businesses that are still allowed. The information below is from the State of Illinois website.

City of Peoria Release

Excluded Activities, Functions, and Businesses/Operations:

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
• 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 (carry-out and delivery only; any consumption of food or beverage is still prohibited inside of restaurants and bars)
• 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
• Funeral services

Travel Restrictions:

• Only essential travel is permitted at this time and must be done in accordance with social distancing requirements. That includes travel related to:
  • Performing Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses and Operations or Minimum Basic Operations
  • Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable persons
  • Receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services from an educational institution
  • Returning to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction
  • Following the direction of law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement
    • Returning to a place of residence outside the State for non-residents

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.

A signed copy of the Illinois Executive Order can be found here.

An ’FAQ’ sheet from Governor Pritzker’s Office regarding the Shelter in Place Executive Order can be found here.