The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), now classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, is causing rapidly cascading events in Illinois and across the globe. The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association has been communicating directly with manufacturers across Illinois as the situation changes and will continue posting resources online at
www.ima-net.org/covid-19/
. This page will be updated with official information and facts continuously as events warrant and resources become available.
The IMA is hosting a conference call with public health and emergency officials along with experts on business continuity, labor law, and communications on Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m
.
Click here to register for the IMA conference call
. Please join the call and share with other employers.
The Centers for Disease Control issued new recommendations this morning recommending that individuals not meet in groups of 10 people or more.
This is a reduction of yesterday’s recommendation of groups with 50 or fewer attendees. These recommendations are designed to slow the spread of the virus.
Governor JB Pritzker held his daily press briefing this afternoon and offered several updates:
- There are 12 new cases of the coronavirus in Illinois
- A total of 105 cases have been confirmed in 15 of 102 counties. Confirmed cases are now in Peoria and Will Counties.
- The primary election will occur tomorrow - Tuesday, March 17 – with safety and sanitization measures in place.
New or critical items of note that were discussed today by the Governor and local leaders.
- Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced that all bars and restaurants will be closed at 9:00p.m. on Monday, March 17 for two weeks. Curbside carryout, drive-through, and food delivery is allowed.
- The Governor is banning all gatherings with more than 50 people.
- The Governor is working with school districts to provide bagged meal service to all students (not just low-income).
- The Governor issued an emergency declaration last week and activated the State Emergency Operations Center that works in conjunction with the Business Emergency Operations Center (IMA is a member).
- At this point, the Governor is not contemplating a complete quarantine of Illinoisans or mandatory shutdowns of other businesses but science and guidance is evolving.
- No restrictions will be imposed on mass transit or airports.
The IMA has spoken with the Governor’s office and Mayor’s office regarding the ban on restaurants and bars and how it impacts businesses with cafeterias in their facilities.
These onsite facilities may continue operating so long as consumption is not allowed on the premises.
Employees can purchase food at an employer’s cafeteria and then take it to eat elsewhere. Chicago’s official guidance will be released this afternoon.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul reached out to the IMA today to discuss supply chain management and the impact of price gouging and hoarding.
Employer Resources & Programs
The Small Business Administration is providing assistance through the
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program
which provides low interest loans of up to $2 million to businesses and not-for-profits. These will be available when Illinois submits its declaration to the federal government which must include identifying specific businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury. Illinois has
created a portal
for employers to self-report their economic impact.
Please report your economic impact if possible in order to help Illinois’ application for benefits
.
The IMA is in discussion with the Governor’s office, state leaders, and local leaders about economic incentives to help struggling businesses.
If you have specific ideas, please let us know so that we can communicate those to our leaders.
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.
