The Governor’s Order provides that the following “Essential Services” may remain open and operational:

• Emergency government services and other essential government services.

• Healthcare and Public Health Operations: Working at or obtaining services from: hospitals; clinics; dental offices; pharmacies; public health entities; healthcare manufacturers and suppliers; blood banks; medical cannabis facilities; reproductive health care providers; eye care centers; home healthcare services providers; mental health and substance use providers; ancillary healthcare services including veterinary services.

• Human Services Operations: Any provider funded by DHS, DCFS or Medicaid; long-term care facilities; home-based and residential settings for adults, seniors, children, and/or people with disabilities or mental illness; transitional facilities; field offices for food, cash assistance, medical coverage, child care, vocational services or rehabilitation services; developmental centers; adoption agencies; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services and other necessities of life for needy individuals — excluding day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes and day care centers licensed as specified in Section 12(s) of the order.

• Essential Infrastructure: Working in: food production, distribution and sale; construction; building management and maintenance; airport operations; operation and maintenance of utilities, including water, sewer, and gas; electrical; distribution centers; oil and biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet, video, and telecommunications systems.

• Stores that sell groceries and medicine.

• Food, beverage and cannabis production and agriculture.

• Organizations that provide charitable and social services.

• Media.

• Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation.

• Financial institutions.

• Hardware and supply stores.

• Critical trades: including plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers that maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations.

• Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery and pick-up services.

• Educational institutions: for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions.

• Laundry services (e.g., laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers).

• Restaurants for consumption off-premises.

• Supplies to work from home.

• Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations.

• Transportation, for purposes of Essential Travel.

• Home-based care and services.

• Residential facilities and shelters.

• Professional services (e.g., legal services, accounting services, insurance services and real estate services, including appraisal and title services).

• Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order.

• Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.

• Critical labor union functions.

• Hotels and motels: to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carry-out food services.

• Funeral services (i.e., gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited).

The Order, which was issued to protect the health, safety and well-being of Illinois residents, states that its intent is to “ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible.” Therefore, if a business and operations can be done remotely, it should be.

Additional examples of “Essential Businesses” and allowable activities include:

• Auto rental, auto supply, auto repair and related facilities.

• Auto dealerships are permitted to sell automobiles.

• Establishments engaged in the retail sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

• Financial institutions and related services, including banks, currency exchanges, consumer lenders, including but not limited to: payday lenders, pawnbrokers, consumer installment lenders and sales finance lenders, credit unions, appraisers, title companies, financial markets, trading and futures exchanges, affiliates of financial institutions, entities that issue bonds, related financial institutions and institutions selling financial products.

• Restaurants and other food preparation and service facilities may remain open but only for consumption off-premises through such means as in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive-thru, curbside pick-up and carry-out.

• Schools and other entities that provide food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so but only on a pick-up and takeaway basis.

• Outdoor exercise like running or taking a walk is allowed; however, exercise gyms, fitness centers and associated facilities will be closed.

For a full list of businesses that will still operate during the Order, visit www.coronavirus.illinois.gov.

Non-Essential Services

Examples of Non-Essential Businesses and prohibited activities include:

• Fitness and exercise gyms, spas, salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors and similar facilities are not considered “healthcare and public health operations” and operations must cease.

• Golf courses are places of public amusement, and operations must cease, except minimum basic operations.

• Public playgrounds and park facilities (e.g., restrooms, clubhouses and other buildings) are closed to the public. On March 16, 2020, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the closure of all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites.

Minimum Basic Operations

Non-essential businesses and operations are permitted to conduct the minimum necessary activity required to “maintain the value of the business’s inventory, preserve the condition of the business’s physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions.” These operations include all necessary aspects that facilitate businesses and their employees to be able to work remotely.

 

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