Illinois’ COVID-19 disaster proclamation to end in May

Illinois’ COVID-19 disaster proclamation to end in May
Spread the love

By HANNAH MEISEL
Capitol news Illinois
hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Exactly 38 months after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, Illinois will no longer be under a disaster proclamation as of May 11, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday.

That’s the same day President Joe Biden will end the national public health emergency, which just passed the three-year mark last week. The White House announced the May 11 end date on Monday.

Pritzker had declared a public health emergency two days before the WHO’s pandemic determination and has renewed his disaster proclamation every 30 days since then.

The repeated proclamations gave the governor authority for COVID-related actions such as closing schools, issuing stay-at-home orders and mandating masks and vaccines. But they were a source of consternation for Pritzker’s political opponents.

The governor had slowly rolled back his COVID-19 mandates over the past year, including an action in October when he reversed the requirement for vaccines, testing and masks in health care settings.

But Illinois is still one of seven states with some sort of COVID-related emergency proclamation on its books.

These disaster declarations have allowed those states – including Republican-run Texas – to continue benefiting from COVID-era bumps in federal reimbursements for programs like Medicaid, additional benefits for those on food stamps and the ability to quickly deploy emergency workers to respond to areas in need, like hospitals with severely short staffing.

“Our state’s disaster proclamation and executive orders enabled us to use every resource at our disposal from building up testing capacity and expanding our health care workforce to supporting our vaccine rollout and mutual aid efforts,” Pritzker said in a statement.

Pritzker said 1.4 million children in Illinois received nutrition support under the additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. He also pointed to the expansion of telehealth during the pandemic under his disaster proclamation, which has largely been adapted into state law after it proved popular with doctors and patients alike.

“Let me be clear: COVID-19 has not disappeared,” Pritzker said in the statement. “It is still a real and present danger to people with compromised immune systems—and I urge all Illinoisans to get vaccinated or get their booster shots if they have not done so already.”

Opponents to Pritzker’s repeated issuance of disaster proclamations insisted the governor was limited to the 30 days laid out in state law, but legal challenges to that effect ultimately failed after months of litigation.

The governor’s disaster proclamation also allowed for the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center, which brokered cooperation between the leaders of different state agencies in response to COVID-19.

In a message to Congress on Monday, Biden wrote that waiting until May to end the national public health emergency will avert “wide-ranging chaos and uncertainty throughout the health care system” than if it faced the “abrupt end” sought by the Republican-controlled House.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide, as well as hundreds of radio and TV stations. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.


Spread the love
ADS-Vedette-Edward-Jones-Abney-Vedette_CD_Ad_Week_1_of_13_6_29_2023_page-0001.jpg


Illinois News


Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
Judge rips Blagojevich’s ‘publicity stunt’ bid to get court’s approval to run for office again
Judge rips Blagojevich’s ‘publicity stunt’ bid to get court’s approval to run for office again


Classifieds


Book Marketing UAE
personal statement writer
Vedette logo

Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva You might say Matthew Glenn is looking for an exit strategy. Or, at the very least, an exit solution. Before the usual group of citizens spoke to harangue the Manteno Village Board on March 18 about the Gotion EV battery factory, Glenn, the principal at Manteno Elementary School, spoke first…


Spread the love
Panther logo

Panthers Beat Milford 11-1

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jim Piacentini In Manteno baseball on Tuesday, March 19, the Panthers had a slow first inning against the Milford Bearcats, but the second inning was just the opposite. The Panthers scored 5 and took a demanding 6-0 lead. Manteno then scored 3 runs in the fourth and 2 more in the sixth,…


Spread the love
Panther logo

BIG Week for Lady Panthers!

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn Tuesday, March 19, in a non-conference game, the Lady Panthers brought home an 11-3 victory against the Kankakee Kays. The Panthers scored 11 runs, on 13 hits, while committing 4 errors in the 7-inning contest. Kankakee had 3 runs, on 6 hits, with no errors. Ava Peterson, who was credited with the…


Spread the love
Manteno Fire Protection District

Manteno Firefighters Participate in Training Leading to State/National Certification

Spread the love

Spread the loveLocal firefighters Zachary Carroll and Danielle Georgelos, from the Manteno Community Fire Protection District, are enrolled in the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Basic Operations Firefighter/NFPA Firefighter I (BOF) Blended course. This 18-week training program is designed to give firefighters the training needed to operate safely and effectively on the fireground. Unlike a…


Spread the love
–Graphic submitted.

Elizabeth Packard: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced

Spread the love

Spread the loveJoin Laura Keyes, as Elizabeth Packard, for this informative and inspiring presentation on “Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard – The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced,” on Saturday, April 20, from 2 – 3:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum in Small Memorial Park, 801 South Eighth Avenue in Kankakee. Tickets are $10 for general…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Monee Police Blotter: March 11 – 16

Spread the love

Spread the loveMarch 11, at approximately 4:10 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 6600 block of Monee-Manhattan Road to investigate a theft. Upon the officer’s arrival, they learned an employee of the business allegedly stole a pair of JBL earbuds worth $299. Shondale L. Taylor, 26, of Chicago, was arrested for theft-under $500.…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Manteno Police Respond to Stabbings; Suspect in Custody

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn March 21, Manteno officers were dispatched to Copelands Route 50 North Bar, in the 100 block of N. Locust Street, in reference to two stabbing victims. Upon arrival, officers located two stabbing victims in the parking lot, but the offender had fled the scene on foot. During the investigation, the suspect was…


Spread the love
Rep. Haas honored Brickstone Brewery as her March Local Business Spotlight. –Photo submitted.

Rep. Haas: Brickstone Brewery March Local Business Spotlight

Spread the love

Spread the loveFor her March local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais. Rep. Haas spent time touring the business and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the community. “I am honored to recognize Brickstone Brewery for my March Local Business Spotlight,” said Rep. Haas.…


Spread the love
Upcoming events logo

Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group ‘Rescue ME’ Crafters’ Resale

Spread the love

Spread the loveMark your calendars – we are back for our 10th “Rescue ME Resale.” The Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group is hosting its Rescue ME Crafters’ Resale on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Township Office, 230 Wabash Street, in Manhattan. This resale will feature quilting, sewing, and needlework supplies.…


Spread the love
Community News Logo

Peotone to Begin Branch Pick-Up

Spread the love

Spread the loveStarting April 1 and running through October 28, the Village of Peotone will run its branch pick-up service. For this program, the village is divided at Corning Avenue, with brush from Corning Avenue north picked up on the first and third Monday of the month (weather permitting). Brush at homes south of Corning…


Spread the love
Community News Logo

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Spread the love

Spread the loveHelping Hands Food Pantry will be open to all area residents (including senior citizens and adults both with or without children who reside within the boundaries of the Peotone School District and are in need of food assistance) on Wednesdays, April 3 and 17, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian…


Spread the love
–Logo submitted.

Peotone Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe library is closing early on Friday, March 29, at 3 p.m. The next Friends of the Library meeting is Tuesday, April 9, at 11 a.m., at Cornerstone Coffee. Mark your calendars for the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale – Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20. The…


Spread the love
Community News Logo

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Celebrates Women’s History Month

Spread the love

Spread the loveStories of determination/skill highlight the critical role of women in the success of every business. Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, the 19-unit full-service fitness franchise that works to bring a robust fitness experience to underserved communities, is celebrating Women’s History Month by showcasing women entrepreneurs, whose determination and business acumen have led to success…


Spread the love
–Logo submitted.

Crete Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveThursday, March 28 Manga Club for Teens, from 3 – 4 p.m., grades sixth/12th: Join us to discuss “Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Deserted Island Diary: Vol. 1,” by Kokonasu Rumba. Copies are available at the library. Film Club, from 5:30 – 8 p.m., adults: Enjoy watching “Brooklyn” on the library’s big screen, with…


Spread the love
Manhattan FPD

From the Desk of Fire Chief Steve Malone:

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe Manhattan Fire Protection District and the Peotone Fire Protection District accomplished something rare in local government. After a two-year intergovernmental agreement, the two fire districts were fully consolidated into one, effective January 1, 2023. This was a monumental task but, in the end, the citizens will see the short-term and long-term benefits…


Spread the love