STATE NEWS/RESOURCES
As the situation related to the spread of COVID-19 continues to change on a daily and even hourly basis, UCCI is gathering the latest information provided by federal agencies, and will continue to update information and resources as they become available.
STATE UPDATES/NEWS
- Remote Meetings/Legislation UPDATE (May 2022)
Public Act 101-0640 - As long as certain criteria are met, remote meetings remain a permissible option for local governments.
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Illinois/OSHA Employee Vaccine Mandate (December 2021)
ARE COUNTIES SUBJECT TO THE ETS (Emergency Temporary Standards)?
Yes. If a county is located in one of the 26 states that participate in OSHA-approved workplace safety and health programs, and submit “state plans” to the agency (i.e. State Plan States).
The below map outlines the 26 states with OSHA-approved State Plans covering local government workplaces that may be impacted by the OSHA vaccine mandate. For more details on these states, please visit https://www.osha.gov/stateplans.
NACo Link: https://www.naco.org/resources/featured/employer-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-faqs
UCCI Memorandum: OSHA Litigation UPDATE COVID-19 Vaccination/Testing ETS (December 20, 2021)
OSHA is gratified the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dissolved the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard. OSHA can now once again implement this vital workplace health standard, which will protect the health of workers by mitigating the spread of the unprecedented virus in the workplace.
To account for any uncertainty created by the stay, OSHA is exercising enforcement discretion with respect to the compliance dates of the ETS. To provide employers with sufficient time to come into compliance, OSHA will not issue citations for noncompliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10 and will not issue citations for noncompliance with the standard’s testing requirements before February 9, so long as an employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard. OSHA will work closely with the regulated community to provide compliance assistance.
About the Standard
Implementation
- Policy Templates
- Fact Sheets
Additional Resources
Information on Vaccination
Finding a Vaccine
Testing
Reasonable Accommodation
Labor Rights
UCCI Memorandum (November 9, 2021) cited FAQ and linked-to portions also remain active on OSHA's website.
- Illinois Supreme Court Orders Wearing of Masks in all courthouses (September 2, 2021)
- Governor Extends Vaccine Deadline at Request of hospital & School Leaders (Executive Order 2021-22) (Press Release September 3, 2021)
Governor's Announcement of COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements (Healthcare Workers/PreK-12 Teachers & Staff, Higher Education Personnel & Students) and Indoor Mask Mandate effective August 30, 2021 (Press Release August 26, 2021)
- Aggressive Action by State to Address Signs of Possible Resurgence (March 26, 2021)
- Governor announces Metrics-Based Pathway for Illinois to Fully Open/Expanding Vaccine Elibility (March 18, 2021)
~ A Bridge to Phase 5
~ Press Release March 18, 2021
- Governor announces Illinois counties, municipalities and townships will receive $250 million for transportation needs, unveiling the third installment of funds as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program. (March 11, 2021)
~ By-county figures available here
- IDPH Hospital Metrics Press Release (January 18, 2021)
~ Updated map showing tiers in place across Illinois after adjusting metrics to reflect additional staff available here.
- Governor announces limited indoor dining to resume in Tier 1 as 3 of 11 regions qualify to move out of Tier 3 Mitigations
Governor's Press Release January 15, 2021
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Illinois Resurgence Mitigation Plan January 15, 2021 Update
COVID Graphics January 15, 2021 Update
Southern Illinois Region 5 moves into Tier 1 Mitigation - Limited Indoor Dining - January 16, 2021 IDPH Press Release
COVID-19 Map of Regions/Counties
STATE RESOURCES
NEWS & INFORMATION
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, Illinois
Press Release ~ Updated Executive Order lifts the mask requirement in most indoor settings (February 28, 2022)
Press Release ~ Phase 5 Reopening Guidelines & Outdoor mask requirement lifted in schools following CDC guidance (June 4, 2021)
Press Release ~ Aligns Illinois Mask Guidance with CDC for Fully Vaccinated People (May 17, 2021)
Press Release ~ Entire State enters Bridge Phase of Reopening Plan (May 13, 2021)
Aggressive Action by State to Address Signs of Possible Resurgence (March 26, 2021)
Governor announces Metrics-Based Pathway for Illinois to Fully Open/Expanding Vaccine Eligibility (March 18, 2021)
~ A Bridge to Phase 5
~ Press Release March 18, 2021
Governor announces Illinois counties, municipalities and townships will receive $250 million for transportation needs, unveiling the third installment of funds as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program. (March 11, 2021) ~ By-county figures available here
Governor Announces Limited Indoor Dining to Resume in Tier 1 as 3 of 11 Regions Qualify to Move out of Tier 3 Mitigations ~ January 15, 2021
Governor Announces New Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions ~ November 17, 2020
Press Release ~ Statewide Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations ~ November 17, 2020
Press Release ~ COVID-19 Update (November 6, 2020)
State Public Health Officials Release COVID-19 Contact Tracing Data
Press Release ~ Covers Emergency Rules in limited fashion and SB471 signed by the Governor (August 7, 2020)
Governor Pritzker Announces Efforts to Protect Illinois Communities and Frontline Workers in Response to Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.
Announces New IDPH Rules to Provide Local Law Enforcement More Flexibility and a Measured Process to Enforce Public Health Guidance.
Signs Senate Bill 471 to Provide Additional Protections for Frontline Workers, Expand Paid Disability Leave.
Read Press Release here.
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'Restore Illinois' ~ A Five-Phase Reopening Plan Announced (May 5, 2020)
Governor Pritzker recently announced 'Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen our State'.
Restore Illinois is a five-phase, regional plan for saving lives, livelihoods, and safely reopening Illinois. Each phase has specific benchmarks that need to be achieved before advancing to the next phase which will allow less restrictions. Each region can independently move through phases as well. Currently, the entire state is in Phase 2.
Below you will find the specifics for each phase:
• Phase 1 (Rapid Spread)
~ Numbers high/rapidly increasing
~ Strict stay at home/social distancing guidelines
~ Only essential businesses remain open
• Phase 2 (Flattening)
~ Numbers increasing at slower rate/moving toward flat/moving downward
~ Nonessential retail stores reopen for curbside pickup/delivery
~ Face covering/social distancing when outside home
~ Outdoor activities reopen (golfing/boating/fishing) social distancing to apply
• Phase 3 (Recovery)
~ Numbers flat or declining
~ Manufacturing, offices, retail stores, barbershops and salons reopen with capacity and other limits/safety precautions
~ Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed
~ Face coverings/social distancing still apply
• Phase 4 (Revitalization)
~ Numbers continue to stay in decline
~ Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed
~ Restaurants and bars reopen for on-site service
~ Travel resumes
~ Childcare and schools reopen with guidance from Illinois Department of Public Health
~ Face coverings/social distancing still apply
• Phase 5 (Illinois Restored)
~ With a vaccine or highly effective treatment widely available/elimination of any new cases over a sustained period
~ Economy fully reopens with safety precautions continuing
~ Large events permitted, including conventions/festivals, with new safety guidance and procedures
~ All businesses, schools and places of recreation can open with new safety guidance and procedures
Read more about 'Restore Illinois' below.
Restore Illinois: Phase 3 Guidelines for Reopening Business and Returning People to Work Safely
Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen Our State
Restore Illinois Health Regions
Restore Illinois Phases
Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability (COGFA) April 2020 Report
Restore Illinois ~ 'A Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen our State'
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Report: Second Round (4-27-20 to 5-1-20)
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) FAQs (May 6, 2020)
Recap of Governor's Executive Orders
Below is a list of the Governor's Executive Orders that are most relevant to County Government
- Executive Order 2022-12 (April 29, 2022) Re-issues select Executive Orders, extending earlier Executive Orders until May 28, 2022)
- Executive Order 2021-32 (December 10, 2021) Re-issues select Executive Orders, extending earlier Executive Orders
- Executive Order 2021-19 (August 20, 2021) Re-issues select Executive Orders, extending a majority of the provisions through September 18, 2021
- Executive Order 2021-14 (June 25, 2021) Re-issues select Executive Orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 24, 2021
- Executive Order 2021-10 ~ Bridge Phase Order (May 17, 2021)
Supersedes Executive Order 2020-43, as amended by EO 2020-55, 2020-59 and 2021-09
- Executive Order 2020-52 ~ Reissues most Executive Orders, extending a majority of the provisions through September 19, 2020
- Executive Order 2020-51 ~ Mitigations Efforts Region 7 (Metro East region).
- Executive Order 2020-50 ~ Resumes admissions to IDOC from County Jails (specific health/safety factors for transfer process) Rescinds Executive Order 2020-13.
- Executive Order 2020-48 ~ Reissues most Executive Orders, extending a majority of the provisions through August 22, 2020
- Executive Order 2020-39 ~ Reissues Previous Executive Orders May 29, 2020 (Open Meetings Act/SB2135)
- Executive Order 2020-38 ~ Phase 3 Reopening (May 29, 2020)
- Executive Order 2020-33 ~ Extends most provisions through May 29, 2020
- Executive Order 2020-32 ~ Stay-at-Home Extension (Supersedes EO 2020-18)
- Executive Order 2020-18 ~ Extends Stay-at-Home Order (among others) until the end of April
- Executive Order 2020-16 ~ Suspends Provisions in the Illinois Vehicle Code
- Executive Order 2020-13 ~ Suspends Admissions to IDOC from County Jails
- Executive Order 2020-11 ~ Essential Human Services Operations
- Executive Order 2020-10 ~ Stay at Home
Read Notice Regarding Executive Order prepared by UCCI counsel, O'Halloran, Kosoff, Geitner & Cook
- Executive Order 2020-7 ~ Suspends Open Meetings Act/Restaurants & Bars
- Executive Order 2020-6 ~ K-12 Schools Clarification
- Executive Order 2020-5 ~ K-12 Schools
- Executive Order 2020-4 ~ Large Gatherings
A full list of the Governor’s Executive Orders is available here.
A summary of cases against the Governor, prepared by UCCI legal counsel, is available here. (May 7, 2020)
GOVERNOR'S DISASTER PROCLAMATION - (Effective January 6, 2023 extending for 30 days)
Most Recent Disaster Proclamation
Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation filed January 6, 2023 to remain in effect for 30 days.
Disaster Proclamation & Executive Order
Governor's Disaster Proclamation filed April 1, 2022 allows remote meetings to continue.
Governor Declares All Counties as Disaster Areas & Issues Additional Executive Orders (July 24, 2020)
Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation filed with the Secretary of State, as COVID-19 cases across the state have been on the rise; and, the Governor reissued most Executive Orders, extending a majority of the provisions through August 22, 2020 (Executive Order 2020-48). Governor Pritzker, on July 27, 2020, rescinded Executive Order 2020-13, and resumed admissions to the Illinois Department of Corrections from county jails (Executive Order 2020-50).
Disaster Proclamation & Executive Orders Issued by Governor
(May 29, 2020)
The Governor has issued another disaster declaration (accessible here). Contemporaneously, with that declaration, the Governor also issued Executive Orders 2020-38 (Phase 3 Reopening) and 2020-39 (Reissues Previous Executive Orders).
In particular, Part 1 of Executive Order 2020-39 provides that “Section 6 of Executive Order 2020-07, as amended by Executive Order 2020-33, is re-issued and extended through June 27, 2020 or until corresponding legislation (SB 2135) is enacted and takes effect, whichever occurs first.” Section 6 of Executive Order 2020-07 is the provision that has allowed public bodies, such as County Boards, to conduct remote meetings by telephonic or video conference.
Governor Revises New Executive Order, allowing for Limited Religious Services
(May 1, 2020)
Governor Pritzker's new Stay-at-Home order was revised to include language allowing Illinois residents to leave their homes "to engage in the free exercise of religion, provided that such exercise must comply with Social Distancing Requirements and the limit on gatherings of more than 10 people in keeping with CDC guidelines for the protection of public health".
Press Release March 9, 2020
JB Pritzker, Governor of the State of Illinois, in the interest of aiding the people of Illinois and the local governments responsible for ensuring public health and safety, issues a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation in response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
This proclamation will assist Illinois agencies in coordinating State and Federal resources, including the Strategic National Stockpile of medicines and protective equipment, to support local governments in preparation for any action that may be necessary related to the potential impact of COVID-19 in the State of Illinois.
Illinois Department of Employment Security Upgrades Website March 27, 2020
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced they are taking additional steps to address the unprecedented volume of unemployment benefit claims the department has fielded as a result of COVID-19.
Read 'IDES Upgrades Website, Staggers Application Times in Effort to Handle Crush'