A few moments ago, Governor JB Pritzker completed his daily briefing and he was joined by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING
The Governor conducted his briefing from Murphysboro in southern Illinois and announced a new centralized resource for all COVID-19 information.
www.coronavirus.illinois.govThe Governor emphasized that essential services such as groceries, pharmacies, and gas stations, will remain open. IRMA would like to thank the Governor for continuing to emphasize this message. We believe the Governor’s examples as just that, examples. Here is a list of the types of stores IRMA believes should be considered essential and we communicated this widely to the Governor’s office nearly a week ago: (1) Stores with grocery items; (2) pharmacies and stores with pharmacies; (3) convenience stores and gas stations with grocery items; (4) restaurants (as done currently); (5) stores that sell cleaning and sanitation supplies; (6) stores with pet supplies; and, (7) stores that sell electronic items (e.g computers, cell phones, routers, chargers, etc. everything you need to support remote work).
There are now 288 COVID-19 patients across 17 counties. The State has created
a new website to convey all information regarding this pandemic.
DRIVER DOCUMENTS
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has pushed back renewal dates for drivers’ licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations and other documents 30-days. The press release can be viewed
here.
IRMA would like to thank Secretary of State Jesse White for his actions. PRICE GOUGING
Yesterday,
Attorney General Kwame Raoul warned against price-gouging. IRMA has received notices from several retailers about suppliers significantly increasing the cost of items – particularly meats. IRMA encourages members to pass along any suspected price-gouging from suppliers so that we can initiate a conversation with the supplier in advance of potential referral to the Attorney General. Otherwise, retailers take the public blame when they are not actually at fault.
UTILITIES
Utilities, including water, have agreed not to suspend service for the foreseeable future.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
IRMA has spoken directly with the heads of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, Illinois Bankers Association, and the Illinois Credit Union League. All assured IRMA that their members are open and willing to work with any employers who are facing liquidity issues. IRMA strongly encourages retailers who are facing or concerned about near-term liquidity to contact their financial institution. IRMA would like to thank the members of these associations for the willingness to assist economic victims of this pandemic.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The General Assembly has cancelled legislative session for next week. However, the notice also stated that members could be called back on short notice to address ‘urgent matters’.
