Today’s update discusses:

• Workers’ Compensation Commission rescinds COVID-19 emergency rule
• number of positive cases in state increases
• unofficial preview of new Executive Order released
• Illinois Supreme Court limits freezes on personal bank accounts

WORKERS COMPENSATION

• In response to the Temporary Restraining Order issued by a Sangamon County Judge, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (“IWCC”) has announced a plan to rescind their emergency rule this week. The rule originally created an automatic presumption that any worker diagnosed with COVID-19 contracted the illness while at the workplace, even if they were working remotely or not currently on the job. However, the fight is not over. In the coming weeks, the IWCC is planning on either creating another rule or seeking legislative action when the General Assembly reconvenes.

HEALTH

• On Sunday, Illinois’ new positive COVID-19 cases topped 2,000 for the third day. This brings the statewide total to almost 44,000, with 1,933 confirmed dead from causes related to the virus. The increase in positive cases comes primarily from a heightened amount of testing conducted statewide.

EMERGENCY POWERS

• The Governor has released a preview of the Executive Order that will keep residents at home until the end of May. The Order will require individuals over the age of two to wear a face covering in public places or when working, if medically possible. Other new guidelines include encouragement to employers to have able employees continue to work from home and the opening of more outdoor recreational areas.

JUDICIAL RULINGS

• The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Friday an emergency order that limits freezes on personal bank accounts for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois. The purpose of this order is to relieve temporarily the burden of frozen assets when there is little recourse available in the Illinois courts. The order will provide relief for residents with judgments against them, many who cannot access emergency monies such as stimulus checks and tax refunds due to frozen assets.