Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen Our State

From the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Illinois’ response has been guided by data, science, and public health experts. Relying on the experts, Governor Pritzker took decisive action to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save as many lives as possible including:

• Issuing a Disaster Proclamation on March 9
• Putting enhanced health and safety measures in place at nursing homes on March 11, after issuing initial guidance on March 3
• Closing bars and restaurants for on-site consumption on March 16
• Moving all schools to remote learning on March 17
• Issuing a Stay at Home Order, the second announced in the country, on March 21

Millions of Illinoisans working together by staying at home and following experts’ recommendations have proven these mitigation and social distancing measures effective so far, but modeling projects a rapid surge in new cases if all of these measures are immediately lifted.

We must follow a safe and deliberate path forward to reopen our economy, guided by public health and data, to keep Illinoisans as safe as possible.

Restore Illinois is a five-phase regional plan to reopen the state’s economy on a regional basis in accordance with key public health metrics.

• Clear Phases: Restore Illinois lays out five phases that regions will move through together, ensuring we move forward in a safe and deliberate manner while providing businesses and families more clarity on our next steps.
• Health Metrics: The plan is based on key health metrics, like positive test rates and hospital capacity and admissions, that the Illinois Department of Public Health will assess to determine when it is safe for a region to move forward.
• Regional Approach: Restore Illinois recognizes the distinct impact COVID-19 has had on different regions of the state. Using the long-existing Emergency Medical Services Networks, the plan uses four regions – Northeast Illinois, North-Central Illinois, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois – that will move through each phase together.
• Safe Reopening: As health metrics tell us it is safe to move forward, regions will gradually reopen nonessential businesses, allow employees to begin returning to work, expand outdoor recreation, and increase gathering sizes.

Until we have a vaccine, treatment, or no new cases over a sustained period of time, this plan recognizes that just as health metrics will tell us it is safe to move forward, health metrics may also tell us to return to a prior phase. The Illinois Department of Public Health will be closely monitoring key metrics to immediately identify new growth in cases and hospitalizations to determine whether a return to a prior phase is needed.

As research and data on this novel coronavirus continue to develop, the Illinois Department of Public Health may update this plan to ensure it reflects the latest science.