|
|
To:
|
Chemical Industry Council of Illinois (CICI) Members
|
|
From:
|
Mark Biel, Chief Executive Officer
[email protected] or 217/522-5805
|
|
Re:
|
ALERT: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for Employers & Confirmed Cases in Illinois
|
An exponential increase of confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the last few days has led to various responses from federal, state and local governments in the form of national emergency and state disaster proclamations, travel restrictions, bans on large gatherings, and the shuttering of dine-in restaurants and bars.
This afternoon, Governor Pritzker issued another proclamation banning, beginning March 18, 2020, public and private gatherings in the state of Illinois of 50 people or more for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. This does not include, however, venues that provide essential goods or services such as grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations, banks, credit unions, and shelters. In fact, the CDC is recommending only gatherings of 10 or less at this time so this proclamation order might become smaller in the days to come. Tomorrow’s Primary Elections, however, are proceeding as planned.
As of 5 pm this afternoon, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health is now reporting 105 positive cases of COVID-19, which is up 12 from just this morning and in 2 new counties, but still with no known fatalities. The locations of the positive cases are now from all over the state but still predominately in Chicago/Cook County. More positive cases will assuredly be announced in the coming days as more tests are being ordered. Additional counties now include: Champaign, Clinton (Southern Illinois), Cumberland (Southeastern Illinois), DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Peoria, Sangamon (Springfield), St. Clair (Metro-East St. Louis), Whiteside (Northwestern Illinois), Will, Winnebago (Rockford), and Woodford (Eureka) Counties.
Another update in response to this outbreak is that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This declaration is the first time FMCSA has issued nation-wide relief and follows President Trump issuing of a national emergency declaration in response to the virus. This FMCSA link contains additional information on this declaration.
Attached to this e-mail are also several documents illustrating pending legislation in Washington, D.C. and other supporting documents. The proposed legislation guarantees free coronavirus testing, establishes paid leave, enhances Unemployment Insurance, expands food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid funding. HR601, HR601 Summary, President's Factsheet, Energy Commerce Document
Also OSHA and the US Department of Human Health & Services has the following information with regard to preparing workplaces for COVID-19. In addition, attached is a very easy to read sheet on “Keeping the Workplace Safe”. Please share as you see fit.
As we learn more, CICI will send out additional information but please note that as a result of Governor Pritzker’s proclamation, no CICI in-person meetings or seminars will be held for the remainder of March and all of April. CICI’s Annual Legislative & Regulatory Day and Reception in Springfield is currently being evaluated. When decisions are made, we’ll notify the membership.
Thanks.
|
