Stay Home Order Starting Tomorrow Saturday, March 21 at 5pm
Today, Governor Pritzker announced that starting tomorrow Saturday, March 21 at 5pm all non essential businesses are ordered to close and individuals are ordered to stay home until Tuesday, April 7. This order was not put in place to cause panic but instead to mitigate the spread of this virus. In the words of guest speaker lead epidemiologist Dr. Emily Laden from the University of Chicago, "the healthy and young amongst us will doom the vulnerable...(if we do not stay home)."

To be clear, this is not martial law and despite rumors the State will not be using the National Guard to enforce these efforts. We are trying to appeal to individuals sense of personal responsibility to stop the spread. That does not mean that municipal police and State police cannot enforce this rule. Enforcement officers can pay non complying businesses a visit and give cease and desist orders.

During his speech the Governor did confirm that the National Guard may be used to set up previously closed hospital sites to expand testing services. In partnership with the Federal government, Walgreens and Walmart, the State will be opening 4 drive thru testing sites for areas most effected across the State .

This executive order does not apply to essential services individuals may need to leave their house for including physician visits, veterinarian visits, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, essential infrastructure and public transportation will continue. Read the full order here or visit the questions and answer page here to see if your industry is included in the list of essential services.



Follow the Governor's facebook page and tune in at 2:30pm every day for his live updates on the situation. You can also find all State updates related to COVID-19 on the State's website here .

If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health's hotline by calling 800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov COVID19 78015

Every Monday through Sunday at 11am Commissioner Arwady of Chicago's Department of Public Health hosts live question and answer sessions on Facebook. If you haven’t tuned in to see an episode of “The Doctor is In,” you really should. Chicago is incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Arwady leading our response to this pandemic.

In addition, the City has also set up a hotline at 312-746-4835 or email coronavirus@chicago.gov. You can sign up to get updates from the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health here .

You can also find updated guidance on taking precautions here .
Illinois and Chicago Public Schools
Yesterday, Mayor Lightfoot announced that Chicago Public Schools will remain closed until April 21. Today, Governor Pritzker announced that all other schools districts in the State will remain closed until April 7. Meals will continue to be provided to students during this time and these dates are subject to change as health officials and authorities monitor the situation.
State and Federal Taxes
Individual filers have until July 15 to pay income taxes due on up to $1 million in tax owed and corporate filers get the same length of time to pay amounts due on up to $10 million in taxes owed . We have heard that the tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15 as well and are waiting on official communication from the IRS about this.

The State of Illinois has an automatic filing extension until October 15 th . This is current statute and taxpayers need not apply, it’s automatic. This does not extend to payments; however, which are still due April 15.
Medical Professionals SIREN Sign Up
Yesterday the Governor's office launched SIREN an alert system created for medical professionals that are treating COVID-19 patients. The Illinois Department of Public Health in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Emergency Management Agency created this tool to inform medical industry professionals of changes and alerts around COVID-19. All medical professionals are encouraged to sign up here .
Child Care Center Guidance
Today, the Governor's administration announced that they are mandating that all child care centers, all child care homes and all public and private early education centers remain closed while K-12 schools are closed. This mandate covers any early childhood program for children ages birth through five located in public or private schools. You can view the guidance here . You can also view the frequently asked questions page here .

The State has launched an effort to provide licenses for emergency child care providers to ensure that essential service providers can still access safe child care that meets the CDC guidelines. To apply to be an emergency child care center click here .
Student Loans
Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund
In yesterday's address Mayor Lightfoot announced the creation of the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund. For more information visit the city's website here . Applications will open March 31, 2020.
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Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)