Today’s update discusses the first IDOC reported death, new testing sites across the state, and the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. Additionally, the update discusses the Disaster Household Distribution program in an effort to provide food for families suffering significant economic loss.
HEALTH

• The Indiana Department of Corrections reported their first COVID-19-related death this week. A man, over the age of 70, apparently showed no signs of illness until he reported having chest pains and trouble breathing on Monday. The inmate was transported to a local hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19.

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/15/2020

Today’s update highlights Governor Parson’s plan to “re-open” the state for business by May.
ECONOMIC

• Governor Parson has announced that he hopes to re-open the State of Missouri for business by May. While emphasizing the importance of testing for COVID-19 cases and continuing social distancing practices, the Governor stated “once daily testing is up to par, which should be by May, then we can look at opening up the state for business in a slow and measured way.” To view the discussion with Governor Parson, visit https://fox2now.com/news/missouri-gov-parson-answers-critics-during-fox-2-interview/.

HeplerBroom attorney Emilee M. Bramstedt contributed to this blog post.
Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/15/2020

Today’s update discusses Governor Pritzker’s newest Executive Order suspending all post judgment debt collection efforts in Illinois until the disaster proclamations have expired.
GOVERNMENT ACTIONS

• On Tuesday, Governor Pritzker signed a new Executive Order that suspends any Illinois law permitting the service of a garnishment summons, wage deduction summons, or a citation to discover assets on a consumer debtor or consumer garnishee for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations. Nothing in the executive order is to be construed to apply to domestic support obligations, such as child support, and this order does not relieve the debtor of any liability.

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/15/2020

Today’s update highlights St. Louis County’s potential to extend the stay-at-home order while the state works on preparing for a conversation about relaxing social distancing guidelines.
EMERGENCY POWERS

• St. Louis County Executive Sam Page told news reporters that the current stay-at-home order will likely be extended into May, although no official information on this been released. Page’s office announced that the state is working on a plan to move forward and when to begin relaxing social distancing guidelines. For more information, visit https://fox2now.com/news/watch-st-louis-county-executive-sam-page-give-covid-19-update/.

 HeplerBroom attorney Emilee M. Bramstedt contributed to this blog post.
Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/14/2020

Today’s update discusses Governor Pritzker’s request to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, and the commission’s response related to claims of those directly in contact with COVID-19. Additionally, this update discusses the governor’s hesitation in making a final decision on the state’s stay-at-home order.
HUMAN RESOURCES/WORKERS COMP

• Governor Pritzker has announced his request to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission to pass an emergency rule to protect essential workers. This rule presumes that essential workers like police officers, firefighters, health care workers, and grocery store clerks who contract COVID-19 were exposed on the job.  The presumption is rebuttable.  Pritzker stated the goal

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/14/2020

Today’s update discusses Indiana’s plea for donations of personal protective equipment and a link to find what equipment is needed.
HEALTH

• Indiana is reaching out to businesses for donations of personal protective equipment (“PPE”). The need for PPE for healthcare workers and first responders within the state continues to grow, and businesses that have supplies they currently aren’t using are encouraged to donate the supplies to alleviate shortages. As reported in yesterday’s update, Indiana is not expected to reach the peak number of cases in the state for several weeks. For more information, as well as a list of supplies

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/14/2020

Today’s update highlights Missouri’s Secretary of State’s request for workers to return to work. Additionally, the update discusses a new model that projects Missouri’s peak in deaths and resource use to be later this month.
GOVERNMENT AGENCY

• Just one week after Governor Parson issued a statewide stay-at-home order, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft issued a staff memo asking employees who have offices to return to work today. However, not everyone will be returning. According to the spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office, division directors would be determining who is essential, noting it was not immediately clear how many staffers

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/13/2020

Today’s update discusses the University of Illinois’ IGPA report predicting monetary losses related to the pandemic. Additionally, the update discusses a new model projecting peak deaths and resource uses in the state.
ECONOMY

• The Institute of Government and Public Affairs (“IGPA”) at the University of Illinois has released a report that estimates Illinois could lose almost $30 billion between calendar years 2020 and 2023 under the most severe model of a projected pandemic-related economic downturn followed by a weak recovery. Even under the best-case scenario projected by the IGPA, the impact on Illinois’ state revenue could be worse than the

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/13/2020

Today’s update discusses a new model, which projects that the state’s peak in COVID-19 related resource use and deaths to be this past week.
HEALTH

• A new model from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted Indiana’s peak in resource use and deaths related to COVID-19 to be last week and this past weekend. The model projects a decline in deaths and resource use with an expected flat line on both deaths and resource use occurring early to mid-May. The projections are based on the assumption that residents will continue to follow social distancing guidelines. For

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/13/2020

Today’s update highlights Governor Parson’s order for schools to remain closed through the end of the school year. Additionally, the update discusses the long-awaited emergency aid bill passed by the State of Missouri and how the state plans to allocate those funds.
EDUCATION

• Not long after Governor Parson issued a statewide stay-at-home order, he has ordered all public and charter schools to remain closed through the end of the school year as well. Schools, however, are to continue with their curriculum remotely for the remainder of the school year. The Governor announced this decision was made in the best interest

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/10/2020

Today’s update includes the Governor’s optimism that Illinois may be bending the curve of COVID-19 cases. Additionally, IDOT responds to the Presidential declaration related to size and weight limits for cargo transported via trucks with a formal announcement.
HEALTH

• Governor Pritzker’s Thursday press conference marked one month since issuance of a disaster proclamation in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. In the past month, the state has been working on building a healthcare facility, obtaining essential supplies, bringing back retired healthcare workers, ramping up testing efforts, and many other initiatives to combat the virus. Although the Governor stressed the importance of

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/10/2020

Today’s update discusses the Governor’s encouragement to stay home for the upcoming holiday in an effort to continue social distancing.
SOCIAL LIFE

• During Thursday’s press conference, Governor Holcomb strongly encouraged church buildings and other places of worship to remain closed during the upcom
  ing Holy Week observances. In an effort to maintain social distancing, the Governor asked faith leaders to stream their services, if possible, utilizing minimal staff. As the number of positive cases continue to rise, the Governor and ISDH commissioner, Kristina Box, do not believe the state has yet reached the peak of cases. For more information, visit

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/10/2020