Chicago — Building on state guidance issued yesterday to promote
social distancing and minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,
Governor JB Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois will close all
schools from March 17 through March 30 and implement additional economic
measures to reduce the burden on Illinois families. As of now, day care centers
will remain open and will follow strict health and safety guidance.
“All of these choices have cascading effects for citizens and vulnerable
populations when it comes to food access, safety, childcare, and social
services,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“We’ve seen what happens in places that didn’t move with urgency. I ask all of
you not to hesitate to do the right thing for your family, your friends, and
your community. One small step at a time, we will get through this together.”
“We have seen evidence from influenza outbreaks that community mitigation
strategies, such a school closures, have an effect on decreasing the severity
of the outbreak,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi
Ezike. “By taking these actions now, we hope to slow and limit
widespread transmission of this virus, which is essential to ensuring our
health care system is not overwhelmed as the disease progresses through our
state. School closures will help slow the progression of the virus and we are
asking for everyone’s help in reducing the spread.”
“This is an unprecedented event in our lifetime, and we will get through this
together,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr.
Carmen I. Ayala. “Our administrators and educators have shown
extraordinary leadership during a time of very difficult decisions. Schools
closing will affect each community differently, and I want our teachers, our
students, and our families to know that the Illinois State Board of Education
is open and is here to help.”
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Following extensive state-level analysis of coronavirus spread in various
countries and the social distancing measures that were put in place, the State
is taking the precautionary measure of closing all K-12 schools in the state of
Illinois from March 17 through March 30. Schools with a spring break that falls
outside of this window should move their spring break to within this timeframe.
The Pritzker administration is working to ensure critical support functions
remain available to students across the state – including their access to food,
child care and safe environments.
Gov. Pritzker has assured school administrators that the state will issue no
penalties as a result of this closure. To provide support to school districts
across the state, the Illinois State Board of Education will be fully staffed
over the coming weekend and during the closure period to work through
individualized issues and challenges in each district. An executive order to
provide school districts flexibility during this period is forthcoming.
On Thursday, the Illinois State Board of Education was granted a waiver from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue providing meals to students in
non-group settings. Students receiving free and reduce priced breakfasts and
lunches will be able to receive grab-and-go meals each day, with some districts
having the ability to deliver and others offering parent pick up.
The Department of Children and Family Services is working closely with the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Department of Public
Health to ensure emergency and preparedness plans are in place to keep youth in
care and staff safe. All DCFS group homes will remain open and take extra
safety precautions.
ECONOMIC MEASURES
The Governor has also announced new economic measures to reduce the burden on
Illinois families.
Gov. Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul have urged the Illinois Commerce
Commission to immediately institute a moratorium on shutoffs for all utility
companies across Illinois – including energy, telecommunications and water –
until the state disaster proclamation has been lifted. The administration is
also requesting changes to payment and collection policies to ensure
Illinoisans aren’t saddled with utility debt as a result of COVID-19.
The Governor is contacting the leaders of Illinois’ utility companies and
urging them to maintain services for all Illinoisans, regardless of their
ability to pay, during this public health crisis.
The Pritzker administration is working directly with the eight major food banks
across Illinois to expand services. The administration is reaching out to food
manufacturers to ensure food banks are prioritized and can provide our
vulnerable residents the food they need.
Earlier this week, the administration filed emergency rules granting workers
who are unemployed due to COVID-19 access to unemployment benefits. The rules
provide relief to people who may be restricted in the type of work they can
perform due to the outbreak.
AVAILABILITY OF TESTING
The Illinois Department of Public Health is working with state labs and
hospital partners to significantly increase testing capability. At this time
the administration believes testing can be sufficiently increased to ensure the
minimum level of surveillance testing needed to appropriately monitor the
spread of the virus.
Gov. Pritzker is continuing to pressure the federal government for more tests
to allow the state to deploy full surveillance testing.
HEIGHTENED VIGILANCE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Vulnerable populations remain a top priority as community spread continues
around the state, country and globe. Elderly and immunocompromised residents
should take extra caution when attending gatherings of any size and avoid
exposure to large groups of people whenever possible. The state has implemented
new staffing procedures and strict guidelines restricting visitors at
state-operated long-term care facilities and is also working closely with
private nursing home and assisted living associations on the adoption of
similar guidelines.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home, call their doctor and plan a safe
visit for examination. The general public is encouraged to take social
distancing practices, including avoiding events of more than 250 people,
working from home if possible and maintaining social distance (6 feet) from
anyone experiencing symptoms.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has a statewide COVID-19 hotline and
website to answer any questions from the public or to report a suspected case:
call 1-800-889-3931 or visit IDPH.illinois.gov.