For Now, Only Region 2 (North Central Illinois) Free of Additional Restrictions: As of this afternoon, Region 2 (North Central Illinois – Peoria, Quad Cities, Pontiac, Grundy County) is the only region in the state not under additional COVID-19 restrictions.  However, Region 2 today just recorded its first day with a positivity rate over 8%.  If those numbers stay above 8% for two more days, the entire state will be placed under additional restrictions described below.  These additional restrictions are largely aimed at indoor dining and bar service and for social gatherings under the state’s revamped Phase 4 plan. 

The seven-day rolling average of Illinois’ positivity rate is now at 7.3%, but 7.8% since last reported here 3 days ago.

These charts will illustrate where the state is at in terms of its positivity and hospitalization rates and the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Again, in addition to face covering, social distancing, and hand washing requirements, these mitigation efforts include the following measures which will remain in effect over a 14-day period after which, more stringent mitigation measures will be implemented if the region’s positivity rate does not improve.

For bars:

• All bars close at 11:00pm
• No indoor service
• All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside
• No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• No dancing or standing indoors
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

For restaurants:

• All restaurants close at 11:00pm
• No indoor dining or bar service
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

For meetings, social events and gatherings:

• Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity
• No party buses
• Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00pm, are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants

It should be noted, however, at this time these increased mitigation efforts will not include classrooms, where applicable, or polling places.

A full list of mitigation measures pertaining to some businesses and industries may also be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website at DCEO COVID-19 resources.

Civil Disobedience, Lawsuits Abound Challenging Governor Pritzker’s Authority: As you can imagine - with the majority of the state’s restaurants and bars banned from indoor service, several establishments across the state have publicly announced that they will disobey the new restrictions, even under the threat issued this week by Governor Pritzker saying he will use the state’s police powers to enforce the additional restrictions.

Numerous lawsuits have also emerged challenging the governor’s authority in issuing such executive orders.  These types of lawsuits are not uncommon as several have already been filed since the beginning of the pandemic.  Most of the suits from earlier this year have either been dismissed or have only applied to one person or place of business bringing the suit.  The suits that have been successful are on appeal.

However, just this week, close to 40 restaurants and bars have filed suit with many more on the way.  At the time of this Update, one suit on behalf of a Kane County restaurant has been successful, allowing it to remain open. Further, the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) announced today that it is working with the Restaurant Law Center in Washington D.C. to prepare an amicus brief challenging Pritzker's executive orders and mitigations, which will be filed in pending lawsuits. The IRA claimed by this Sunday, approximately 90% of Illinois' restaurants will be closed for indoor dining.

CICI will keep you updated on any actions from these lawsuits.

Updated Specific State Information on COVID-19 Orders:  The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has again updated their comprehensive chart detailing state specific orders, re-opening plans, and other restrictions as well as executive orders and legislation relating to business liability.  This chart is attached to this Update.  This chart will be updated now only once a week on Friday afternoon

Update on COVID-19 Cases: IDPH is reporting 402,401 positive tests of COVID-19 in Illinois, an average increase of 6,472 new positive tests per day since reported here 3 days ago on October 27.  In total, 7,637,209 tests have now been conducted in Illinois for the virus, an average increase of 82,973 tests per day since October 27, and setting a record with over 95,000 tests just in the last 24 hours.  The state’s average positivity rate over all 11 regions is at 7.3% for the last week, but at 7.8% over the last 3 days.  You can see where the various regions are at in terms of their positivity rates, hospitalizations and other metrics at this link. 

Unfortunately, IDPH is reporting a total of 9,711 deaths, an average increase of 47 per day since October 27.

You can also check where these cases are occurring at the State of Illinois COVID-19 website which also contains more information on this outbreak.

Also, IDPH has a case breakdown of the number of positive cases in Chicago and each county relative to the number of fatalities.  The IDPH website also now includes a breakdown of the cases under each zip code in the state.

For information on other states and countries, John Hopkins University has developed this website that provides invaluable resources at a one-stop location detailing testing and tracing trends, timelines of COVID-19 policies, and interactive maps.

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