HR0842 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0842 LRB101 21335 MST 71954 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many unprecedented problems in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has experienced an estimated more than 83,000 cases of COVID-19 and over 3,600 COVID-related deaths; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has led the unemployment rate to soar to an estimated 20 percent in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Governor Pritzker introduced a regionalized plan for reopening the State that included a baseline of 28 days for several factors to be met before moving between phases; and

WHEREAS, Governor Pritzker has continued to extend his stay-at-home orders and prevented certain businesses and organizations from reopening by pushing back end dates; and

WHEREAS, The federal government has recommended a 14-day baseline before moving to the next phase; and

WHEREAS, Indiana's plan for reopening includes this 14-day baseline, among other factors that will more quickly and efficiently reopen their state; and

WHEREAS, Indiana's reopening plan follows four guiding principles, which include (1) the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide has decreased for 14 days, (2) surge capacity for critical care beds and ventilators is retained statewide, (3) anyone in Indiana who is COVID-19 symptomatic can be tested, and (4) contacting all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and expanding contact tracing; and

WHEREAS, Indiana is developing a Small Business PPE Marketplace to provide reliable access to PPE for small businesses registered in Indiana with fewer than 150 employees that need help to comply with safe workplace precautions; and

WHEREAS, Indiana will be distributing 300 million dollars to counties, cities, and towns via a population-based formula as the first installment from the Coronavirus Relief Fund; and

WHEREAS, Indiana has developed a five-stage roadmap to reopen by the fourth of July; and

WHEREAS, During Stage One, essential manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, government, business, healthcare, and other critical businesses and operations have been open, while K-12 school buildings remain closed and all their activities canceled; and

WHEREAS, In Stage Two, Indiana will ease restrictions, although local governments may impose stricter local guidelines as conditions dictate; and

WHEREAS, During Stage Two, Indiana will lift the essential travel restrictions and permit social gatherings of up to 25 people, following the CDC's social distancing guidelines; state government offices will begin to open for limited interaction with the public; the remaining manufacturers and industrial and other infrastructure operations that had not been considered essential will also open; retail and commercial businesses will open at 50 percent capacity; shopping malls may open at 50 percent capacity with indoor common areas restricted to 25 percent capacity; restaurants and bars that serve food may open at 50 percent capacity, but bar seating will remain closed; personal services, such as hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors also may open by appointment only and must follow social distancing guidelines; those who work in office settings are encouraged to continue to work remotely whenever possible; indoor worship services may also convene, following specific social distancing guidelines, but it is preferred that virtual and outdoor services continue; those age 65 and older and those at elevated risk will be asked to stay home for all the above stated activities and businesses whenever possible; and

WHEREAS, In Stage Three, individuals at risk, including those over age 65, may venture out cautiously; those who can work remotely should continue to do so; social gatherings of up to 100 people may occur; retail stores and malls may move to 75 percent of capacity, movie theaters may open at 50 percent capacity, and mall common areas such as food courts and sitting areas may further open to 50 percent capacity; playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, pools, campgrounds and gyms, and fitness centers may open with restrictions and social distancing; and

WHEREAS, In Stage Four, face coverings will be optional; social gatherings of up to 250 people may take place and large venues may open with adherence to social distancing guidelines; state government buildings will reopen to the public; professional office building employees may resume work at full capacity; retail stores and malls may open at full capacity with social distancing guidelines in place; dining room service may open at 75 percent capacity; bar seating in restaurants may open at 50 percent capacity; cultural, entertainment, and tourism may open at 50 percent capacity, including museums, zoos, bowling alleys, aquariums, and like facilities; recreational sports leagues and tournaments may resume, and amusement parks, water parks, and like facilities may open at 50 percent capacity, all while continuing social distancing; conventions, sports events, fairs, festivals, the state fair, and like events may resume, and remote work will be optional; retail stores, malls, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, gyms, and personal services may operate at full capacity; restrictions will be lifted at amusement parks, water parks, and like facilities, and at this time, a decision will be made as how to approach the next school year; and

WHEREAS, The sooner the State of Illinois can safely return to a normal way of life and business, the sooner the recovery can begin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to adopt a reopening plan similar to that of Indiana; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Governor Pritzker, the President of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.