Governor Pritzker Announces Plan to Reopen Illinois
Moments ago, Governor Pritzker released Restore Illinois , a five-phase, data-driven plan designed to reopen the state’s economy utilizing science and public health data. The plan’s framework focuses on business, education, and recreational activities.

The five-phase plan is based on regional healthcare availability and recognizes the distinct impact COVID-19 has on different regions of the state as well as regional variations in hospital capacity. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has 11 Emergency Medical Services Regions that have traditionally guided its statewide public health work. For the purposes of Restore Illinois, from those 11, four health regions are established, each with the ability to independently move through a phased approach: Northeast Illinois; North-Central Illinois; Central Illinois; and Southern Illinois.

The five phases of reopening for each health region are as follows:
 
Phase 1 – Rapid Spread: The rate of infection among those tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital is high or rapidly increasing. Strict stay at home and social distancing guidelines are put in place and only essential businesses remain open. Every region has experienced this phase once already and could return to it if mitigation efforts are unsuccessful.

Phase 1 includes strict stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines, and only essential businesses remain open. Every region has experienced Phase 1 and could return to it if mitigation efforts are unsuccessful.

Phase 2 – Flattening: The rate of infection among those tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital beds and ICU beds increases at an ever slower rate, moving toward a flat and even a downward trajectory. Non-essential retail stores reopen for curb-side pickup and delivery. Illinoisans are directed to wear a face covering when outside the home, and can begin enjoying additional outdoor activities like golf, boating and fishing while practicing social distancing. To varying degrees, every region is experiencing flattening as of early May.

Phase 3 – Recovery: The rate of infection among those tested, the number of patients admitted to the hospital, and the number of patients needing ICU beds is stable or declining. Manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons can reopen to the public with capacity and other limits and safety precautions. All gatherings limited to 10 or fewer people are allowed. Face coverings and social distancing are the norm.
 
Phase 4 – Revitalization: The rate of infection among those tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital continues to decline. All gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, restaurants and bars reopen, travel resumes, child care and schools reopen under guidance from the IDPH. Face coverings and social distancing are the norm. All manufacturing can open with Illinois Department of Public Health approved safety guidance .
 
Phase 5 – Illinois Restored: With a vaccine or highly effective treatment widely available or the elimination of any new cases over a sustained period, the economy fully reopens with safety precautions continuing. Conventions, festivals and large events are permitted, and all businesses, schools, and places of recreation can open with new safety guidance and procedures in place reflecting the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor noted that beginning on May 29, regions may begin entering into Phase 3, and at that time, while continuing to use masks and safety measures, "non-essential" manufacturing may reopen as can other "non-essential" businesses and activities. Metrics in the Restore Illinois plan must be met before a region moves into Phase 3.

How a Region Moves to the Next Phase : Every phase will be measured by cases, capacity, testing, and tracing.

Phase 1 to 2 : Slowing of new case growth, availability of surge capacity in medical and surgical beds, ICU beds, and ventilators. Ability to perform 10,000 tests per day and testing available for any symptomatic health care workers and first responders.

Phase 2 to 3 : At or under a 20 percent positivity rate and increasing no more than 10 percent points over a 14-day period, AND no overall increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19 illness for 28 days, AND available surge capacity of at least 14 percent of ICU beds, medical and surgical beds, and ventilators. Testing available for all patients, health care workers, first responders, people with underlying conditions, and residents and staff in congregate living facilities.

Phase 3 to 4 : At or under a 20 percent positivity rate and increasing no more than 10 percent points over a 14-day period, AND no overall increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19 illness for 28 days, AND available surge capacity of at least 14 percent of ICU beds, medical and surgical beds, and ventilators. Testing available in region regardless of symptoms or risk factors. Begin contact tracing and monitoring within 24 hours of diagnosis for more than 90 percent of cases in region.

Phase 4 to 5 : Vaccine, effective and widely available treatment, or the elimination of new cases over a sustained period of time through herd immunity or other factors.

In addition to announcing "Restore Illinois", the Governor also announced:
 
  1. There are 2,122 new cases of coronavirus in Illinois.
  2. There are a total of 2,838 deaths related to coronavirus in Illinois, including 176 additional deaths announced today.
  3. A total of 65,962 cases have been confirmed in at least 97 of the 102 counties. These numbers include many individuals who have already recovered.
  4. There have been 346,286 individuals tested for coronavirus in Illinois.

Please visit the IMA’s dedicated COVID-19 page for updates and resources.
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Mark Denzler
President & CEO
Illinois Manufacturers' Association
Disclaimer : The information in this email is provided for general informational purposes only as a benefit of your membership in the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. No information contained in this email should be construed as legal advice from the IMA or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.