GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING
Governor JB Pritzker addressed testing and two additional state-run drive through testing sites. The first in Aurora at the Chicago Premium Outlets Mall, 1650 Premium Outlet Boulevard can conduct 600 tests per day when fully operational. The second additional site will be in Rockford at the University of Illinois College of College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Avenue. This site will be able to conduct 500 tests per day when fully operational. These two additional site, when combined with the three existing sites, will be able to conduct 2,900 tests per day. Information on testing sites can be viewed here.
WORKERS COMPENSATION
This afternoon, IRMA and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County on behalf of the Illinois employer community claiming the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) vastly exceeded its statutory authority in its most recent rule-making. The suit also seeks a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). IRMA members were previously informed that the IWCC adopted an emergency rule creating a rebuttable presumption that any employee that contracts COVID-19 did so on the job. You can read the complaint here, the TRO motion here, and the exhibits here.
While IRMA and IMA are currently the named plaintiffs, over two-dozen organizations are supporting.
It is imperative that IRMA members contacted by any media regarding the case, decline comment of any kind and refer them to IRMA. Likewise, IRMA will be directing any comments to counsel.
FACE COVERINGS
The availability of masks and other personal protection equipment, as well as hand sanitizer and wipes, have been an issue since the earliest days of this pandemic and remains a critical issue today. These items are prioritized for healthcare and first response personnel.
Health experts have noted that while masks are required for healthcare and first response personnel, cloth facial coverings are adequate for everyone else. To that end, IRMA was contacted by W. Diamond Corporation, owner of Hart Schnaffer Marx, noting that they have converted their clothes production to cloth facial covering production. Those interested in discussing possibly procuring masks from them may email Ken Ragland, the COO/CFO of W. Diamond Corporation. This is provided as a possible source as some IRMA members have already procured masks from W. Diamond.
ILLINOIS COVID-19 IMPACT UPDATE
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, MD, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Healthannounced 2,049 new cases in Illinois, including 119 additional deaths. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 35,018 cases, to date, including 1,565 deaths, in 96 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Additional information can be found here. COVID-19 stats by zip code can be found here
COVID- 19 IMPACT SURVEY
The University of Chicago is reaching out to business owners like you to take a short and confidential survey about how small businesses have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Your feedback can help improve the types of assistance that city and state government agencies provide to help businesses like yours survive and recover from this crisis. If you would like the chance to shape the government’s economic response to this crisis, please take this 10-minute survey by clicking the link below, or copy and paste it into your browser.
To thank you for your response, you will be entered into a lottery for the chance to win one of ten $500 prizes. (Researchers will run a computerized random draw and notify winners by May 31st.)
To take this survey, click or copy/paste this link: https://uchicago.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hzA8C6BPOlQkbX?linksource=irma