Today’s update includes Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s discussion on an expected upcoming peak in COVID-19 cases in the state. Additionally, this update discusses the rise in COVID-19 related cases and deaths statewide.
SOCIAL LIFE

• Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home order is currently in effect until the end of April. However, the mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, expressed on Tuesday that the virus is a long way from leaving the city of Chicago. Both Pritzker and Lightfoot have said that they are expecting a peak in the number of cases in Illinois still to come. Mayor Lightfoot encourages residents to continue

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/8/2020

Today’s update includes recent guidelines from the Indiana State Department of Health regarding funeral homes and funeral directors.
HEALTH

• The Indiana State Department of Health has released guidance for funeral homes and directors related to COVID-19 issues. While funeral homes may operate as an essential business and funerals can be held, , there are specific guidelines to follow. For example, individuals may leave home to attend a funeral, but the gathering may be no larger than 10 people at one time and people must maintain six feet of distance even during the funeral. The guidelines further encourage both directors and

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/8/2020

Today’s update discusses Missouri lawmakers’ attempt to finalize the emergency aid package in response to the pandemic. Additionally, the update discusses Governor Parson potentially calling a special session in the near future to finalize the 2021 budget.
FUNDING

• As lawmakers prepared to meet today to discuss the emergency aid package Missouri is attempting to finalize, Budget Director, Dan Haug, stated that net general revenue collections for March have dropped 4.2% compared to the net general revenue collections for March one year prior. Haug offers this information as yet another example of the pandemic’s toll on the state’s economy. Lawmakers are

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/8/2020

Today’s update includes additions to the Governor’s newest stay-at-home Executive Order. Additionally, the update discusses the enactment of a new enforcement team created to ensure compliance with the stay-at-home order.
HEALTH

• Noting the increase in cases of COVID-19 statewide, Governor Holcomb urges Indiana residents to comply with travel and health precautions as the state prepares for a surge in coronavirus cases. In an effort to get businesses to comply with social distancing guidelines and other provisions, the Governor has created a team that could shutter businesses failing to comply with the state’s latest orders. Both state law enforcement and the

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/7/2020

Today’s update includes the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force predicting an upcoming surge in COVID-19 cases. Additionally, the update discusses Missouri lawmakers heading back to the capitol in an effort to finalize an emergency aid package.
HEALTH

• St. Louis Metropolitan hospitals have teamed up to create a COVID-19 task force called the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. Dr. Alex Garza, who is the head of the task force, is expecting the number of COVID-19 cases in the area to peak in two or three weeks. Garza made clear that “[w]e have every reason to believe that the surge

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/7/2020

Today’s update includes Governor Pritzker’s announcement regarding the upcoming holidays. Additionally, this update discusses the two new Executive Orders signed by Governor Pritzker on Monday regarding the furlough of prisoners and changes made to public assistance requirements.
HEALTH

• Reports from the past week have indicated that many religious communities are still planning services despite the Governor’s stay at home order. As an additional effort to get residents to maintain social distancing, Governor Pritzker encouraged residents to stay home for the upcoming holidays and find a creative way to use technology to gather with family and to participate in worship.
• Governor

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/7/2020

Today’s update discusses Governor Parson’s issuance of a statewide stay-at-home order, the cancellation of upcoming events, and recent school district decisions. Additionally, there are updates on Missouri’s Legislative discussions and local actions regarding funding to cover the effects of the pandemic.
SOCIAL

• On Friday, April 3, 2020, Governor Parson issued a statewide stay-at-home order, which will take effect today. The Order explicitly states that individuals currently residing within the state of Missouri shall avoid leaving their homes unless it is necessary. In addition, the Order includes specific guidance for staying home, social distancing, business, schools, and government buildings. Missouri joins

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/6/2020

Today’s update includes the Governor’s most recent announcements on extending the public health emergency, extending the state’s stay-at-home order, and the granting of the federal Major Disaster Declaration. Additionally, the update discusses the release of non-violent prisoners, and additional SNAP benefits to support families during the pandemic.
SOCIAL

• On Friday, April 3, 2020, Governor Holcomb signed a new Executive Order extending the public health emergency by an additional 30 days to May 5, 2020. The order also extends all other Executive Orders issued since March 6 that are supplements to the original order declaring a public health emergency for the

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/6/2020

Today’s update discusses the expansion of child care benefits to essential workers and the challenges of social distancing in nursing homes, prisons, and other closed populations. Additionally, the update discusses different state agencies, which are working to keep residents informed and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
CHILD CARE BENEFITS

• Governor Pritzker has announced that all essential workers in Illinois qualify for the Child Care Assistance Program. Qualifying workers (such as doctors, nurses, healthcare support staff, grocery store clerks, and food producers) will have most or all of their childcare expenses paid by the state. This measure is retroactive to be

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/6/2020

Today’s update discusses the Illinois Department of Labor’s decision on the WARN Act, the Illinois EPA’s work response, and essential manufacturers under current Illinois Executive Orders. Additionally, the update discusses an important announcement from the Illinois Department of Revenue regarding income tax returns.
HUMAN RESOURCES

• Illinois has a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN Act”), which requires employers with 75 or more full-time employees to give at least 60 days advance notice of plant closing or mass layoffs to workers, along with state and local officials. The WARN Act is important because any employer who fails to give

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Continue Reading Illinois Government Responses to COVID-19 – Updated 4/3/2020

Today’s update includes the Governor’s most recent updates on child care programs, positive cases within the state, and school closures. Additionally, the update discusses the growing number of unemployment claims and the state’s work to process as many claims as quickly as they can.
SOCIAL

• Indiana State Department of Health (“ISDH”) is constantly releasing and updating information regarding guidance for child care programs within the state. These guidelines include information on what parents and program facilitators can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, what parents should do if their child’s childcare program closes, and what parents should do if

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Continue Reading Indiana Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/3/2020

Today’s update discusses the skyrocketing unemployment claims in the State of Missouri while touching on the federal government’s plan to increase unemployment funds in each state. Additionally, there is an update on yet another county within the state which has issued a stay-at-home order effective today.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Like many states, the Missouri economy is suffering. Missouri has had a 56% increase in unemployment claims since the stay-at-home orders in the state’s largest metro areas went into effect on March 27. The flood of filings has caused the wait time to file a claim to last days. Although the relief

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/3/2020

Today’s update relays the Governor’s actions related to freezing the state budget and the courts’ extension of social distancing measures.  Additionally, there is an update on the City of St. Louis’ response to COVID-19.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION

• Governor Parson is preparing to freeze nearly $180 million in planned spending due to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. In addition, Parson anticipates the State of Missouri may receive a little over $300 million in federal funds. COVID-19 has already had a major impact on the economy, but Governor Parson aspires to work out the budget in a way that helps lessen that

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Continue Reading Missouri Government Actions on COVID-19 – Updated 4/2/2020