The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association has been communicating directly with manufacturers across Illinois as the situation changes and will continue posting resources online at the IMA’s dedicated page
www.ima-net.org/covid-19/
.
As a reminder, Governor JB Pritzker’s “stay at home” order took effect yesterday at 5:00p.m
. Non-essential businesses must cease operations while essential businesses and operations are encouraged to remain open.
The IMA worked with the Governor and his team to secure an exemption for essential manufacturing facilities, distribution, and supply chains that are defined as:
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.
Governor Pritzker was specifically asked about manufacturing in yesterday’s press conference.
Click here
to see his supportive comments about manufacturing and the supply chain.
Manufacturers self-determine if they fall under the guidelines set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order. It does not require a special permit or certification. Local law enforcement may cite and fine non-essential companies that are operating.
The Governor and Director of Public Health announced the following.
- There is a total of 9 deaths related to the coronavirus
- There are 296 new cases of the coronavirus in Illinois including an infant
- A total of 1,049 cases have been confirmed in 25 of 102 counties.
New or critical items of note that were discussed today by the Governor and local leaders.
- The Governor encouraged healthy individuals to donate blood. There is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through blood and there is a severe shortage. Please call and schedule an appointment if possible.
- Supplies are in short order and Illinois is looking for N95 masks, gowns, gloves, sanitizers, and other products. The IMA issued a noticed yesterday seeking these products or you can email ppe.donations@illinois.gov.
- In response to a question, the Governor confirmed that employees do not need “papers” in order to travel.
- The Governor announced that employees and individuals can call DCEO to report operating businesses that they don’t believe are essential.
Employer Resources & Programs
The IMA is offering two conference calls next week to update manufacturers and businesses about changing laws, rules, and regulations.
On Monday afternoon, the IMA call will feature panelists focused on sanitation best practices, the recently enacted Families First legislation and employer legal obligations, effective communication with employees, and health steps to take with employees and products.
To register, please click here
.
Tuesday morning, the IMA will host the Thomas Chan, Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security for a presentation on unemployment insurance programs and impact on employers and employees.
To register, please click here
.
