IMA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update - #65
Please visit the IMA’s dedicate d CO VID-19 page for updates and resources.   

Late Friday, Governor JB Pritzker’s Administration filed emergency rules creating a Class A misdemeanor for businesses that are operating in violation of his Executive Order. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious misdemeanor in Illinois and can include a maximum punishment of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. This rule was promulgated by the Illinois Department of Public Health without notice or public hearing and will be officially published by the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and could consider the rule. While this rule is aimed at retail businesses, such as bars and restaurants, it could also be applied to manufacturers.

Daily COVID-19 Results
 
Governor JB Pritzker held his daily press conference and announced:
 
  1. There are 2,294 new cases of coronavirus in Illinois.
  2. There are a total of 4,234 deaths related to coronavirus in Illinois, including 59 additional deaths announced today.
  3. A total of 96,485 cases have been confirmed in at least 100 of the 102 counties. These numbers include many individuals who have already recovered.
  4. There have been 603,241 individuals tested for coronavirus in Illinois.

Press Conference Key Updates

  • Governor Pritzker and Dr. Wayne Duffus, Illinois' Acting Chief Epidemiologist, used today's press conference to discuss the state's contact tracing initiative. Currently, only 29% of positive COVID-19 cases in Illinois are involved in contact tracing, the goal is to get to 60%. To obtain this goal, the Governor is implementing a shared technology-based system, coordinated by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and using the state's existing 97 local public health departments. This new expanded technology-based contract tracing program will be piloted in Lake and St. Clair Counties.
  • Governor Pritzker also discussed his emergency rule to give local law enforcement the ability to charge business owners who operate against his Executive Order with a Class A Misdemeanor. The Governor characterized it as "a penalty of last resort," to be used in lieu of revoking a state license or shutting down a business.

Regional Metrics Updates

Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan uses health metrics and data to determine 5 phases of reopening the state. The Illinois Department of Public Health began publicly updating their data so that the four regions can see where they stand with regard to moving to the next phase on May 28. Currently, all four regions will qualify to move to Phase 3 . Click here to see the data in your zone .  
Employer Resources & Programs

The Small Business Administration and Treasury Department released guidance yesterday for employers that are seeking loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses need to complete an application and submit it to their lender. The application includes four sections including:
 
1. PPP loan forgiveness calculation form
2. PPP Schedule A
3. PPP Schedule A worksheet
4. PPP Borrower Demographic Information form (optional)

The Treasury Department has also clarified how to count foreign employees and foreign affiliates for PPP eligibility. You can read the rule here , which says that applicants must count all U.S.- and foreign-based employees, including those of their domestic and foreign affiliates, to determine if they meet the PPP’s size tests. However, note that the Small Business Administration will not apply the new standard to applicants that applied before May 5, provided that the business and its affiliates have no more than 500 employees whose principal place of residence is in the United States.

On Wednesday, May 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CST, the IMA will be hosting a webinar with FTI Consulting to present highlights from the IMA Safety and Reopening Guide and provide an opportunity for questions of our staff and FTI’s experts. You can register for that webinar here , and submit your questions ahead of time via email . 

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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.