On March 9, 2020 Governor Pritzker declared all Illinois counties as disaster areas. This proclamation will assist Illinois agencies in coordinating State and Federal resources, including the Strategic National Stockpile of medicines and protective equipment, to support local governments in preparation for any action that may be necessary related to the potential impact of COVID-19 in the State of Illinois. In an effort to responsibly manage the pandemic impact on Illinoisans, Governor Pritzker issued a 'stay at home' order effective 5 pm CST March 21, 2020 through April 7, 2020.

Read the full proclamation here.

Daily updates are being provided at 2:30 pm CST by the Pritzker administration.  To watch live or listen to audio-only visit State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions can be found here

Illinoisans should abstain from all nonessential activities. This is a necessary precaution to keep as many people safe as possible. Read Stay At Home Order FAQ's

It is important to note during the Stay at Home order essential services will still be operational including, but not limited to:

• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Pharmacies
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations
• Garbage/sanitation
• Public transportation
• Public benefits (i.e. SNAP, Medicaid) hotlines
• A full list can be found in the executive order 2020-10 or at coronavirus.illinois.gov

Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. Read Unemployment Benefits FAQ's

If you have become temporarily laid off, quit your job as a result of this situation or you, your spouse, parent or child has been diagnosed with the coronavirus you could qualify for benefits as long as you were able and available for and actively seeking work.

For all school district employees on the district’s payroll will get paid as if the schools were functioning normally, regardless of the district plans from March 17 through March 30,2020. These school days will not be made up. For more information on provisions made for Illinois school district employees visit www.isbe.net/.

IMPORTANT NOTE:Under emergency rules IDES recently adopted, an individual would not have to register with the employment service. He or she would be considered to be actively seeking work as long as the individual was prepared to return to his or her job as soon the employer reopened.

To help determine if you are eligible to receive Unemployment Benefits as a result of COVID-19 visit coronavirus.illinois.gov and read Unemployment Benefits FAQ's . To file Unemployment Benefits claim visit Illinois Department of Employment Security .

Businesses providing non-essential services as defined in Governor Pritzker's Executive Order have temporarily halted on-site consumption services as of 9 pm CST March 16, 2020 through April 7, 2020. This order largely impacts restaurants, coffee shops, retailer and bars.

Illinois Small Businesses in all 102 counties Eligible for up to $2 Million in Loans

Illionis businesses experiencing economic hardship may now apply for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for low-interest loan due to COVID-19. To learn more about this loan program visitwww.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. To apply now visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, a $100 Million Relief Package for Small Businesses impacted by COVID-19

To ensure the most-severely impacted businesses have access to the financial aid relief, eligible businesses must have experienced a more than 25% revenue decrease due to the impact from COVID-19. The new emergency fund will lend up to $50,000 in working capital loans to neighborhood entrepreneurs suffering substantial economic injury to help support rent and payroll expenses. To qualify as a small business, each establishment must have fewer than 50 employees. Beginning on March 31, the City’s CDFI partners will begin accepting loan applications from local businesses. In the meantime, business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to fill out an interest form and a City representative of the fund will reach out on next steps

All Illionis schools have been closed through April 7, 2020. Chicago Public Schools will remain closed through April 20, 2020. CPS prepared enrichment learning resources to support student learning while schools are closed. To access CPS Enrichment Learning Resources visit cps.edu/Pages/EnrichmentLearningResources.aspx .

Parents that are planning to keep students out of school for the remainder of the school year are encouraged to follow Chicago Public School Homeschooling protocol. Doing so requires withdrawal from school, completion of Illinois Homeschooling Registration Form have prepared a list of resources that may be helpful to review if parents or guardians are unsure where to start.

Per the Chicago Board of Education policy, homeschooled children are entitled to enroll or re-enroll in CPS, and grade placement decisions for previously homeschooled children will be made at the discretion of school administrators. Please note: this enrollment/re-enrollment pertains to neighborhood schools. If a student withdraws from a non-neighborhood school, the student could lose their seat.

Any student in the Chicago Public Schools district can receive boxes of food containing three days of breakfast and lunch. The boxes will be available at CPS schools between 9a.m. and 1p.m. each day schools are closed. Parents and guardians can call 773-553-KIDS for emergency delivery.

For more information and resources visit State of Illionis Education FAQs page for frequently asked questions. For more information on Chicago Public Schools response to COVID-19 visit cps.edu/oshw/Pages/HealthyCPS.aspx