The Unfreeze of Tier 3

PUBLIC POLICY CONNECTION

January 15, 2021

Today Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that he would unfreeze all Illinois’ regions from remaining in Tier 3 mitigations. Since November 20, 2020 all of Illinois’ Restore Illinois regions have remained in Tier 3 mitigation protocol per the Governor’s order. With the Governor’s announcement today, regions can move backwards (or forwards to Tier 3 again) through Tiers 2 and 1 until reaching Phase 4 based on the region’s tracking metrics.

A full list of each tier and what mitigations are enacted at each level can be found here. Governor Pritzker announced an amendment from the original mitigation plan to allow for some indoor dining (lesser of 25 people or 25 percent capacity per room with no more than 4 per table) when a region reaches Tier 1. A full description of Governor Pritzker’s announcement can be found here.

Regions 1, 2 and 5 can move Tier 2 immediately. Governor Pritzker stated that in the coming days more regions are likely to move to Tier 2.

As of today, Region 6 does not meet the metrics to move out of Tier 3. You can monitor the region’s progress through the metrics here.

COVID-19 Related News

The Paycheck Protection Program reopened this week

President-elect Biden unveils his $1.9 trillion plan to curb COVID-19 and stimulate the economy.

Southern Illinois University researchers identify a new, dominant U.S. COVID-19 variant.

A new COVID-19 variant has been identified in Brazil.

The UK variant has been identified in Illinois.

Global COVID-19 deaths top 2 million.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District expands COVID-19 vaccinations to include those aged 65-74 with underlying health conditions.

In Other News

Early voting for Champaign and Urbana’s consolidated primary elections kicked off this week.

Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch was elected as Illinois’ Speaker of the House ending Rep. Mike Madigan’s tenure in the position.

Police reform legislation passed both the Illinois House and Senate. It heads to the Governor’s desk for final passage.

President Trump was impeached for the second time this week becoming the first president to do so.

Members of Illinois’ National Guard have left for D.C. to assist with inauguration.

Gov. Pritzker activated 250 National Guard members to Springfield ahead of the inauguration.

Bids and RFPs

City of Champaign- None at this time.

City of Urbana- Invitation to Bid: Philo Rd. and Boneyard Crossing Maintenance

Champaign County- None at this time.

Champaign Unit 4 School District- New International Prep Academy Project, Sale of New Music Stager Riser System, ViewSonic Winter 2020 RFP; Dell Chromebook 3100 Computers Licenses; Disposal of IT Equipment; Apple iPads; Laptops and Service RFP

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