Today’s update discusses:
- Department of Public Health’s view on COVID-19 case status in the state
- Governor’s consideration of when to rescind the statewide stay-at-home order
- Illinois Senate President’s request for federal money to help the state recover economically
HEALTH
- The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, stated this weekend that transmission of the new coronavirus has slowed tremendously in Illinois, but it has not been eliminated completely. The IDPH credits the slowing spread to statewide actions, such as the stay-at-home order. In an effort to continue this slow, Governor Pritzker has set a goal to test 10,000 people each day, stating that widespread testing is needed before the stay-at-home order can be lifted. Currently, the stay-at-home order is set to expire on April 30, but the Governor is still weighing the option to extend it, and he is monitoring the constantly changing conditions daily to determine the best course of action for the state.
ECONOMY
- Illinois Senate President, Don Harmon, sent a letter to the members of Illinois’ Congressional Delegation requesting a bailout of federal funds of more than $41 billion. If awarded, the money will help the state recover from the economic effects of COVID-19. For example, $15 billion would be used to stabilize the state’s operating budget, $10 billion for underfunded pension plans, $6 billion to aid the state’s unemployment trust fund, $1 billion for public health support, and $9.6 million for aid to municipalities. Governor Pritzker, however, noted that the request is different from requests he has made for federal funds.