Executive Order 2020-63

EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
(COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.59)

WHEREAS, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel severe acute respiratory illness, has rapidly spread throughout Illinois and continues to necessitate updated and more stringent guidance from federal, state, and local public health officials and significant measures to respond to the increasing public health disaster; and,

WHEREAS, COVID-19 can spread among people through respiratory transmissions, asymptomatic people can transmit the virus, and there is currently no effective treatment or vaccine; and,

WHEREAS, for the preservation of public health and safety throughout the entire State of Illinois, and to ensure that our healthcare delivery system is capable of serving those who are sick, I have found it necessary to take additional measures consistent with public health guidance to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19; and,

WHEREAS, on October 16, 2020, considering the expected continuing spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing health and economic impacts that that will be felt over the coming month by people across the State, I again declared all counties in the State of Illinois as a disaster area; and,

WHEREAS, working with experts in the Department of Public Health, I put forward a deliberate plan that utilizes several layers of mitigation steps to combat a resurgence of COVID-19 and prevent uncontrollable spread; and,

WHEREAS, that plan described two scenarios that would cause the State to institute more restrictive public health measures and impose additional mitigations in a region: first, a sustained increase in the 7-day rolling average (7 out of 10 days) in the positivity rate, coupled with either (a) a sustained 7-day increase in hospital admissions for a COVID-like illness, or (b) a reduction in hospital capacity threatening surge capabilities (ICU capacity or medical/surgical beds under 20%); or second, three consecutive days averaging greater than or equal to an 8% positivity rate (7 day rolling average); and,

WHEREAS, the current spread of COVID-19 in Region 4, comprised of Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties, has triggered the second of these scenarios as the region has averaged greater than or equal to an 8% COVID-19 positivity rate (7 day rolling average) for three consecutive days; and,

WHEREAS, the current spread of COVID-19 in Region 10, comprised of suburban Cook County, has triggered both of these scenarios: the region has had a sustained increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations over the last 10 days and averaged greater than or equal to an 8% COVID-19 positivity rate (7 day rolling average) for three consecutive days;

THEREFORE, by the powers vested in me as the Governor of the State of Illinois, and pursuant to Sections 7(1), 7(8), 7(9), and 7(12) of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305, and consistent with the powers set forth in the State’s public health laws, I hereby order the following, effective October 28, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.:

Section 1. The following public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 4, comprised of Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties, and Region 10, comprised of suburban Cook County:

1. Mitigation for restaurants and bars.  Restaurants and bars in the region are subject to these restrictions and mitigation measures, which supplement the Phase 4 guidance from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Indoor and Outdoor Dining:
   1. All restaurants and bars in the region must close at 11:00 p.m., and must remain closed until 6:00 a.m. the following day.
   2. All restaurants and bars in the region must suspend indoor on-premises consumption
   3. All customers eating or drinking on premises must be seated at outdoor tables spaced at least six feet apart. Multiple parties may not be seated at a single table.
   4. Customers who are not yet seated at a table must wait off premises and, when waiting, must not congregate in groups larger than the party with whom they are dining. Standing, congregating, or dancing on premises is not permitted.
   5. Each party must have a reservation, even if made on-site, so that the restaurant or bar has contact information to reach every party for contact tracing if needed.
2. Mitigation for meetings and social events.  Meetings and social events in the region are subject to these restrictions and mitigation measures, which supplement the Phase 4 guidance from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Meetings and Social Events:
   1. Meetings and social events are limited to the lesser of 25 people or 25% of overall room capacity.
   2. Attendance lists must be kept for contact tracing.
   3. Party buses are not permitted.
3. Mitigation for gaming and casinos.  Gaming and casinos in the region are subject to these restrictions and mitigation measures:
   1. Gaming venues and casinos must close, and gaming terminals must stop operating, between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following day.
   2. Gaming venues and casinos are limited to 25% capacity.
   3. Gaming venues and casinos must follow the mitigation strategies for restaurants and bars for those portions of their facilities.
4. Mitigation for all workplaces.  Businesses and establishments shall institute remote work for high risk individuals, and shall evaluate whether additional workers can telework. This Executive Order encourages remote work for as many workers as possible.

Section 2.  This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order (Executive Order 2020-43), which remains in effect other than when its terms are inconsistent with those expressly set forth in Section 1 above. The additional requirements of the Community Revitalization Order, including the requirements relating to social distancing and wearing face coverings, remain in place. The exemptions set forth in Section 4 of the Community Revitalization Order apply to this Executive Order.

Section 3.  If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be severable.

Issued by the Governor October 27, 2020
Filed by the Secretary of State October 27, 2020