On Saturday, March 21st, an Executive Order was signed for the State of Illinois that stated all non-essential businesses must stop operating until Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
Here’s a summary of the Executive Order provided by our partners at the Illinois Manufacturing Association:
“Minutes ago, Governor JB Pritzker issued an Executive Order and announced that Illinois will enact a “stay at home” policy that will take effect at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 through Tuesday, April 7. All residents will be subject to this order that is devised to save lives.
All non-essential businesses must stop operating. All public and private gatherings are prohibited except for very limited purposes. Places of public amusement, indoors and outdoors, shall be closed to the public. All travel is prohibited unless for essential business or operations.
The IMA worked closely with the Governor and his team to deem manufacturing as an essential industry.
The following manufacturing facilities, distribution, and supply chains are considered essential and may continue to operate. Employees are considered essential and may continue working in your facilities.
Manufacturing companies, distributors, and supply chain companies producing and supplying essential products and services in and for industries such as pharmaceutical, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, chemicals and sanitization, waste pickup and disposal, agriculture, food and beverage, transportation, energy, steel and steel products, petroleum and fuel, mining, construction, national defense, communications, as well as products used by other Essential Businesses and Operations.
Manufacturers will self-determine if they fall under this guideline. It will not require a special designation or permit from the State of Illinois.
Other essential businesses that may remain open include the following general categories:
1. Grocery stores
2. Food, beverage, and cannabis and agriculture
3. Charitable and social service providers
4. Media
5. Gas stations and transportation-related facilities
6. Financial institutions
7. Hardware and supply stores
8. Critical trades (HVAC, plumbers, electrician, cleaning, etc)
9. Mail, postal, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
10. Education institutions (does not supersede school closure announcement)
11. Laundry services
12. Restaurants for consumption off-premises
13. Supplies to work from home (businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply products)
14. Supplies for essential businesses and operations
15. Transportation
16. Home-based care and services
17. Residential facilities and shelters
18. Day care centers for employees exempted by this order
19. Manufacturing (see above)
20. Critical labor union functions
21. Hotels and motels
22. Funeral Services
Individuals may leave home for essential activities that include the following things:
1. Health and safety
2. Necessary supplies and services
3. Outdoor activity if practicing social distancing
4. Essential work
5. Take care of others
Individuals may leave their residence to perform any work necessary to offer, provide, operate, maintain, and repair essential infrastructure which is defined as:
“Essential Infrastructure” includes, but is not limited to: food production, distribution, and sale; construction (including, but not limited to, construction required in response to the emergency, hospital construction, construction of long-term care facilities, public works construction, and housing construction); building management and maintenance; airport operations; utilities, including water, sewer, and gas; electrical (including power generation, distribution, and production of raw materials); distribution centers; oil and biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; internet, video, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services).”
Additional Resource:
IDCEO Essential Business Checklist