As expected on April 23, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extended his “Stay at Home” Executive Order through the month of May with some easing on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic-implemented restrictions and the United States House of Representatives passed a U.S. Senate-approved $484 billion relief bill that included $310 billion to refund the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
“Stay at Home” Extension
Gov. Pritzker’s current “Stay at Home” Executive Order will expire after April 30 and his new EO will take effect on May 1 and run through May 30.
Face Coverings
Beginning on May, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or mask when in a public place where six feet of social distancing can’t be maintain and in public indoor spaces, including stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or mask.
New Essential Businesses
Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses, as cam animal grooming businesses. Social distancing requirements must be maintained and both employees and their customers are required to wear a face-covering.
Non-Essential Retail
Retail store not currently designated as essential businesses may re-open to fulfill telephone on online orders through pick-up outside the store and for delivery.
Essential Businesses and Manufacturing
Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are unable to maintain six feet of social distancing, along with following new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers, including occupancy limits and precautions such as staggered shifts and operation of only essential lines for manufacturers.
Schools
While to closed, educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up pf necessary supplies or student belongings. Resident hall move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.
Health Care
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also will be issuing guidelines to surgi-centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions, starting on May 1. Facilities will need to comply with certain criteria, including proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), testing of elective surgery patients to ensure COVID-19 negative status and ensuring enough overall space remains available for COVID-19 patients.
Outdoor Recreation
State parks will begin a phased re-opening under the guidance of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Fishing and boating of no more than two people will be permitted. Golfing will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) and when social distancing is ensured.
Small Business PPP Relief Refunding
The $484 billion in new federal relief funding includes $310 billion to replenish PPP—which exhausted $349 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stability (CARES) Act in only two weeks—$75 billion for hospitals, $25 billion for COVID-19 testing and additional monies for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program.
Congressional Democrats also are pushing for a fifth piece of legislation to provide federal relief to states and cities, and chambers of commerce, business and trade associations and other Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-designated 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organizations not eligible for PPP funding in the CARES Act or the newly-appropriated bill.
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Representative Mike Quigley (D-Illinois 5th District) are part of the Illinois Congressional delegation supporting additional federal relief.