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. Our members are rising to the challenge and making medical products, nutritional foods, equipment for first responders, cleaning and sanitizing products, packaging and distribution, and more. We appreciate Governor Pritzker for recognizing the important role of manufacturing and allowing companies to remain operational.
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.
Manufacturers and other essential businesses shall comply with social distancing requirements to the extent possible while maintaining inventory, preserving the plant and equipment, ensuring security, and processing payroll and benefits.
Other essential businesses that may remain open include the following general categories:
- Grocery stores
- Food, beverage, and cannabis and agriculture
- Charitable and social service providers
- Media
- Gas stations and transportation-related facilities
- Financial institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Critical trades (HVAC, plumbers, electrician, cleaning, etc)
- Mail, postal, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
- Education institutions (does not supersede school closure announcement)
- Laundry services
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises
- Supplies to work from home (businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply products)
- Supplies for essential businesses and operations
- Transportation
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelters
- Day care centers for employees exempted by this order
- Manufacturing (see above)
- Critical labor union functions
- Hotels and motels
- Funeral Services
Individuals may leave home for essential activities that include the following things:
- Health and safety
- Necessary supplies and services
- Outdoor activity if practicing social distancing
- Essential work
- 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).
Essential travel is included and allowed. Individuals may travel to perform essential activities, government functions, essential business and operations, and minimum basic operations. Travel is allowed to return to residences outside of Illinois.
Any enforcement of this Executive Order will be handled by state and local law enforcement.
