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/
.
Manufacturing facilities can continue operating in Illinois
. The Governor issued an
executive order (2020-07)
that bans public and private gatherings of more than 50 people but this applies to
“community, civic, public leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, and any similar event or activity… This does not include venues that provide essential goods or services…”
. There are a lot of rumors flying that are not factual. The IMA spoke with Deputy Governor Dan Hynes yesterday who confirmed that manufacturing facilities may continue operating.
Today, the IMA reached an accommodation with Director Michael Kleinik and the Illinois Department of Labor that will allow employees to work seven days per calendar week during the outbreak. Companies must
submit an application
to the Labor Department but an application will be deemed approved as soon as it is filed. Employees must volunteer (cannot be forced to work) and employees must be paid pursuant to wage laws. The Labor Department is working on emergency rules.
Governor JB Pritzker held his daily press briefing this afternoon and offered several updates:
- The number of cases jumped from 11 last Monday to 288 cases today impacting people from the age of 9 to 99 years.
- There are 128 new cases of the coronavirus in Illinois
- A total of 288 cases have been confirmed in 17 of 102 counties.
New or critical items of note that were discussed today by the Governor and local leaders.
- Illinois has a new website for all novel coronavirus information.
- Illinois’ Economic Injury Disaster Loan application with the Small Business Administration was approved for all 102 counties. Small businesses and not-for-profits can apply for loans up to $2 million and assistance with SBA and information will be available at the Department of Commerce website.
Employer Resources & Programs
Clarification
: The IRS and Treasury Department have extended tax payment deadline by three months and waive interest and penalties. Individual filers have 90 days to pay income taxes due up to $1 million while corporations get the same delay for payments up to $10 million. The Illinois Department of Revenue follows federal rules.
The IMA met with Erin Guthrie, Director of the Department of Commerce, today and discussed a host of issues important to manufacturers including universalizing unemployment insurance costs, delaying fees and taxes, helping companies that want to offer child care, and training workers in industries that are adding workers to address demand.
The IMA and business community had a call with Chicago’s Deputy Mayor this afternoon to outline requests including delaying the predictive scheduling and wage acts.
The IMA remains in constant contact with the Governor’s office and White House along with federal, state, and local health and emergency officials. We will continue to monitor and provide accurate information on a timely basis.
