Illinois COVID-19 Disaster Proclamation Issued
March 10, 2020
On Monday afternoon, Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to “unlock additional federal resources and help the state prepare for the potential of further spread of COVID-19.” The governor says that the proclamation formalizes emergency procedures already underway across state government by activating the State Emergency Operations Center, physically bringing together decision-makers from every state agency and the state's mutual aid network to deploy resources as necessary during this public health threat.
According to the governor, state and local partners benefit from a disaster proclamation in the following ways:
- Allows federal reimbursement for state response costs;
- Allows use of State Disaster Relief Fund, covering direct state costs and reimbursements to Illinois National Guard and mutual aid groups;
- Allows use of the state's mutual aid network, groups of public safety response professionals—including hundreds of healthcare providers and management professionals, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians and disaster response professionals—that are available to deploy to areas of shortage;
- Authorizes the Governor to activate Illinois National Guard reservists, some of whom may be doctors and nurses;
- Allows expedited procurement should it be necessary; and
- Authorizes additional executive authorities to protect public health and safety.
See the Governor’s press release here.
Also on Monday, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) and the Chicago Dept. of Public Health announced four new COVID-19 cases in the state, bringing the total to 11. All four cases are in good condition. The first two cases in the state announced last month have recovered without known transmission to additional individuals. The remaining patients are in isolation either at home or in a hospital. See IDPH’s press release here.