Illinois Governor Issues “Stay At Home” Executive Order
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued Executive Order No. 8 (commonly known as the "Stay At Home" Executive Order) on March 20, 2020, to preserve public health and safety throughout the entire State of Illinois.
As of Saturday, March 21, 2020, at 5 p.m., all Illinois residents were ordered to stay home or at their place of residence, except for "Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses and Operations."
The Governor's purpose of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extend possible.
Exempt businesses include:
- Stores that sell groceries and medicine
- Food, beverage, and cannabis production and agriculture
- Organizations that provide charitable services
- Media
- Gas stations
- Financial Institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelter
- Professional services such as legal, accounting, insurance and real estate
- Day care centers for children of employees exempted by the Executive Order
- Manufacturer, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries
- Critical labor union functions
- Hotels and motels, to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carryout service
- Funeral services
Non-essential business operations and activities that must cease, other than the "minimum basic operations" include:
- Dine-in restaurants
- Bars and nightclubs
- Entertainment venues
- Gyms and fitness studios
- Public events and gatherings including amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children's play centers, playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert halls, and country clubs or social clubs
- Convention Centers
- Hair and nail salons
Non-essential businesses are permitted to remain open to the extent necessary to maintain minimum basic operations which are defined to include: payroll and benefits processing; security steps necessary to preserve inventory value; work necessary to facility and equipment maintenance; and related functions.
Employees of essential businesses or who are necessary to perform minimum basic operations are free to travel to and from home to work.
Residents are permitted to leave their home for health and safety reasons; to obtain necessary supplies and services; for outdoor activity and exercise; to perform work in the above-referenced Essential Businesses and Operations or because they are working in critical infrastructure; and to care for others.
Illinois residents can leave their home to help state, local, tribal, and industry partners in their efforts to protect communities while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. Essential workers have been identified from the following sectors:
- Health Care/Public Health
- Human and Services Operations
- Essential Infrastructure
- Essential Government Functions
The order further stresses that, even when engaged in unrestricted activities or otherwise, residents need to practice "social distancing" at all times. The order may be enforced by state and local law enforcement pursuant to certain sections of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
The Order currently remains in effect through April 7, but may be extended. For additional information and resources, check https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx
Miller Canfield attorneys are available to advise on how this order may impact your business's operations. Please call your Miller Canfield attorney or a member of the firm's Coronavirus Response Team to discuss your concerns.
This information is based on the facts and guidance available at the time of publication, and may be subject to change.
