Wednesday’s state update on COVID-19 reports 2,049 new cases with 98 additional deaths. The state totals are now 35,108 cases with 1,565 deaths. Illinois Director of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike said of the more than 35,000 COVID-19 cases, more than 2,500 listed their occupation as healthcare.
Governor JB Pritzker said the state has provided more than 15 million pieces of personal protective equipment to frontline workers. The governor said more than 80 million pieces of PPE are due to arrive in the near future.
A group of Illinois Republican lawmakers has proposed a variety of ideas to re-open many of the state’s activities and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposals include removing the restrictions on elective medical procedures, re-opening state parks and allowing many businesses to re-open with some precautions. State Representatives Mark Batinick of Plainfield, Ryan Spain of Peoria, Tony McCombie of Savanna and Dave Severin of Benton discussed the ideas during a video news conference on Wednesday.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Manufacturers Association have filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s emergency workers’ compensation rules. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission action requires essential workers who contract COVID-19 to receive benefits, assuming the virus was contracted on the job. IRMA and the IMA contend the rules exceed the commission’s authority and could cost businesses during a time when they are already having difficulty.
