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Documenting Illinois' path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Illinois coronavirus coverage
Debate in Illinois
Illinois government responses
School reopenings in Illinois
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Illinois' reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

August 2021

  • August 5: On Aug. 4, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced masks would be required in all Illinois public schools for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

July 2021

  • July 29: On July 27, the Illinois Department of Public Health adopted recent CDC guidance recommending all vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear masks in public indoor settings located in areas with substantial and high coronavirus transmission rates.
  • July 13: On July 9, state Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala issued a declaration requiring in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. Remote instruction will be available to students who are unable to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
  • July 8: On July 7, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announcedvaccination incentives for frontline state employees. Employees who have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine can enter a lottery to win cash bonuses, airline vouchers, sports tickets, lifetime fishing and hunting licenses, and passes to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and the State Fair.

June 2021

  • June 18: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced the All in for the Win vaccination incentive program. All residents with at least one dose of a vaccine are automatically entered to win drawings for 43 cash prizes, including three $1 million jackpots and 20 scholarship awards. The drawings will take place between July 8 and Aug. 26. For more information, click here.
  • June 11: The state is entering Phase 5 of reopening June 11. The statewide mask requirement is ending, and all remaining businesses and events can expand to full capacity.
  • June 7: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced Phase 5reopening guidance, effective June 11. On that day, the statewide mask requirement will end, and large events and gatherings can expand to full capacity.
  • June 3: On June 2, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a law allowing businesses that serve alcohol to provide a free drink to patrons with proof of vaccination. The law also extends pickup and delivery allowances for businesses selling cocktails.
  • June 2: On June 1, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said the state was scheduled to move to Phase 5 coronavirus restrictions on June 11. Phase 5 would allow for large gatherings of all sizes to resume and remove capacity restrictions for businesses, schools, and recreation.

May 2021

  • May 18: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed an executive order exempting fully vaccinated individuals from most indoor mask requirements.
  • May 14:
    • The state is moving to the Bridge Phase of reopening on May 14. To see changes to business restrictions in the Bridge Phase, click here.
    • Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced he would amend the state’s mask requirements to align with the CDC’s guidance. Pritzker did not say when he would update the order.
    • Pritzker also announced a partnership with Six Flags to give free tickets to residents who get vaccinated.
  • May 7: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced the state will move to the Bridge Phase of reopening on May 14. To see changes to business restrictions in the Bridge Phase, click here.

April 2021

  • April 12: All residents age 16 and older are eligible for vaccinations starting April 12. Previously, everyone 65 and older was eligible for vaccination.

March 2021

  • March 19: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced all residents age 16 and older will be eligible for vaccinations starting April 12. Pritzker also announced the Bridge Phase between Phase 4 and Phase 5 of reopening. The state can start the phase once 70% of residents age 65 and older receive at least one vaccine dose, ICU rates remain below a certain level, and hospitalizations, deaths, and cases are steady or decline over a 28-day period. To learn more about the Bridge Phase, click here.
  • March 15: School teachers and staff became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine Monday, March 15.
  • March 4: Residents age 65 and older can start scheduling appointments to receive vaccinations at the United Center federal vaccination site on March 4. Other people in Phase 1b, including anyone with high-risk conditions and some frontline essential workers, will be able to schedule appointments starting March 7. The site will start administering vaccinations on March 10.
  • March 1: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced a federal vaccination site will open at United Center starting March 10. The site will be able to administer up to 6,000 vaccines a day.

February 2021

  • February 25: People ages 16 and older with state-defined high-risk conditions are eligible for vaccinations starting Feb. 25. The state’s list of qualifying conditions includes cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
  • February 11: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced people age 16 and older with state-defined high-risk conditions will be eligible for vaccinations starting Feb. 25. The state’s list of qualifying conditions includes cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
  • February 4: On Feb. 2, Region 4 (Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington counties) moved out of Tier 1 mitigation into regular Phase 4.
  • February 3: On Feb. 2, Region 10 (Cook County suburbs) moved out of Tier 1 mitigation into regular Phase 4.
  • February 2: On Feb. 1, Region 7 (Kankakee and Will counties) moved out of Tier 1 mitigation into regular Phase 4.
  • February 1: On Jan. 31, Region 11 (the city of Chicago) moved out of Tier 1 mitigation into regular Phase 4.

January 2021

  • January 27: Regions 8 and 9 moved from Tier 2 to Tier 1 (least restrictive) mitigation on Jan. 26. Region 4 (including Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington counties) is the only part of the state that still has Tier 2 restrictions.
  • January 26: On Jan. 25, regions 1 and 2 moved out of Tier 1 mitigation into regular Phase 4.
  • January 25:
    • On Jan. 22, regions 10 and 11 moved to Tier 1 (least restrictive) mitigation, and Region 4 moved to Tier 2. Every region has moved out of Tier 3 (most restrictive) mitigation.
    • Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Phase 1B of vaccine distribution begins Jan. 25. The phase includes individuals age 65 and older and frontline essential workers.
  • January 22: The Department of Health announced Region 6 is no longer under Tier 1 mitigation restrictions and is now in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. Region 7 moved from Tier 3 (most restrictive) to Tier 1 (least restrictive) mitigation, which allows limited indoor dining at bars and restaurants. Region 4 is the only of the state’s 11 regions that is still in Tier 3 mitigation.
  • January 19: The Department of Health adjusted the state’s mitigation metrics to reflect additional hospital staff and capacity. The change allowed regions 8, 9, 10, and 11 to begin operating under Tier 2 mitigation restrictions. Regions 1, 2, and 6 were allowed to move to Tier 1 (the least restrictive mitigation level), and regions 3 and 5 were allowed to resume Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan with no additional mitigation measures. Before the adjustment, the entire state was under Tier 3 (most restrictive) mitigation since November 20, 2020. For more information on what activities are permitted in each mitigation tier, click here.
  • January 12: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through Feb. 6.
  • January 7: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan will include individuals 65 years of age and older, non-medical essential frontline workers (including first responders, school staff, and grocery store workers), and inmates. The press release did not include a target date for Phase 1B to begin.

November 2020

  • November 18: Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced additional statewide mitigation measures, effective Nov. 20. Restaurants and bars will not be able to offer indoor service, casinos and museums will be required to close, and gyms will have to cease indoor group classes. Retailers will have to reduce capacity from 50% to 25%.
  • November 12: Additional mitigation measures for regions 5, 7, and 8 took effect Nov. 11. Indoor and outdoor social events and gatherings are limited to 10 people. Party size limits at bars and restaurants were reduced from 10 people to six.
  • November 6: The state implemented mitigation policies in Region 2 starting Nov. 4. Bars and restaurants cannot offer indoor service, and outdoor service has to close by 11 p.m. every night. Gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25 people or 25% of a room's capacity. All 11 of the state’s regions now have mitigation restrictions in effect.

October 2020

  • October 20: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced mitigation policies will be implemented in Region 5, starting Oct. 22. Bars and restaurants will not be able to offer indoor service, and outdoor service will have to close by 11 p.m. every night. Gatherings will be limited to the lesser of 25 people or 25% of a room's capacity.
  • October 16: The Illinois Department of Public Health added eight more counties to the state’s warning level classification, bringing the total number of warning-level counties to 34. The state uses the classification system to identify counties that may need additional mitigation measures.
  • October 9: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced Region 4 (the Metro East region) is returning to Phase 4 of reopening at 5 p.m. on Oct. 9. The region had rolled back reopening on Aug. 18 due to increased coronavirus case numbers. The Illinois Department of Public Health also removed two counties from the state’s warning level classification, bringing the total number of warning-level counties to 26.
  • October 2: The Illinois Department of Public Health added 11 more counties to the state’s warning level classification, bringing the total number of warning-level counties to 28. The state uses the classification system to identify counties that may need additional mitigation measures.

September 2020

  • September 30: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced additional mitigation measures will be into effect in Region 1 (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties) starting Oct. 3. Under the new restrictions, bars and restaurants will not be able to offer indoor service and gatherings will be limited to 25 people.
  • September 18: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced Region 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) can resume indoor dining at bars and restaurants starting on Sept. 18. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 24 counties are still at the state’s warning level for coronavirus infections.

August 2020

  • August 28: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced the Department of Health added 10 more counties to the state’s warning level classification, bringing the total number of warning-level counties to 30. The state uses the classification system to identify counties that might need additional mitigation measures.
  • August 26: New restrictions are taking effect for Region 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) on Aug. 26. As part of the new restrictions, bars and restaurants cannot offer indoor dining, social events and gatherings are limited to 25 people or 25% of a room’s capacity (whichever is less), and casinos have to close no later than 11 p.m. each night. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) also announced an additional statewide order requiring restaurant and bar patrons to wear a mask anytime they interact with a server, including whenever beverages or food are brought to a table. The rule is also effective August 26.

July 2020

  • July 29: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced guidance for youth and adult recreational sports.
  • July 15: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced new criteria the state will use to determine if additional mitigation measures are necessary in a region. The indicators include a sustained increase in the 7-day rolling positivity rate average or an 8% or greater positivity rate sustained over three consecutive days.
  • July 7: The Department of Public Health approved Illinois High School Association guidelines for school sporting events.

June 2020

  • June 26: The state is moving into the fourth phase of reopening on June 26. Phase 4 allows gatherings of up to 50 people. Indoor recreation venues (like bowling alleys and theaters), indoor dining services, and outdoor spectator sports facilities can reopen with limits.
  • June 22: Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the state was on track to enter the fourth phase of reopening starting June 26. Phase 4 will allow gatherings of up to 50 people. Indoor recreation venues (like bowling alleys and theaters), indoor dining services, and outdoor spectator sports facilities will be able to reopen with limits.
  • June 17: On June 16, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed SB 863 and HB2238 into law, requiring local election officials to deliver vote-by-mail applications to all voters who cast ballots in the 2018 general election, the 2019 consolidated election, or the 2020 primary election. The legislation also expanded early voting hours at permanent polling places and authorized curbside voting. The law's provisions are set to apply to the Nov. 3 general election.
  • June 5: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced public and private summer school programs could begin reopening on June 4. State officials also said community-based coronavirus testing sites would begin opening to everyone, regardless of symptoms.

May 2020

  • May 29: The state's stay-at-home order expired on May 29, making it the 30th state to end a stay-at-home order. Illinois also started the third phase of its reopening plan, which allows non-essential retailers and manufacturers to begin reopening. Restaurants can also reopen for outdoor dining and gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed.
  • May 26: State officials released a toolkit and restrictions for businesses reopening in the third phase of the Restore Illinois plan. Phase Three is expected to begin on May 29.
  • May 21: Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced additional guidance for Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan. He said restaurants will be able to offer limited outdoor seating, campgrounds and state parks will be allowed to open, and golfers will be allowed to play in groups of up to four. Other outdoor recreational activities like paintball will be permitted to resume operations with distancing and gathering limits. On May 19, Pritzker said the state was on track to enter Phase Three starting May 29.
  • May 18: Gov. J.B. Pritzker filed an emergency rule on Friday, May 15 that allows business owners who violate the state’s stay-at-home order to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
  • May 6: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) released his Restore Illinois plan. The plan has five phases and splits the state’s 11 existing Emergency Medical Services Regions into four reopening regions. The regions may reopen independently of one another. All regions are currently in Phase Two, which allows for retail curbside pickup and delivery as well as outdoor activities such as golf, boating, and fishing. Phase Three will allow manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops, and salons to reopen with capacity limits, along with gatherings of fewer than 10 people. The plan does not give a timeline for advancing through the phases.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Illinois Department of Public Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Illinois state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Illinois Department of Public Health
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Vaccine Distribution: Phases 1A and 1B
Where can I find the distribution plan? Illinois Mass Vaccination Planning Guide
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? January 10, 2021
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? COVID-19 Vaccine
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state? COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Data
Where is the state health department's homepage? Illinois Department of Public Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Illinois - AARP

Timeline

  • June 17, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced the All in for the Win vaccination incentive program. He said all residents with at least one dose of a vaccine would be automatically entered to win drawings for 43 cash prizes, including three $1 million jackpots and 20 scholarship awards. The drawings were scheduled between July 8 and Aug. 26. For more information, click here.
  • May 13, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced a partnership with Six Flags to give free tickets to residents getting vaccinated.[2]
  • April 12, 2021: Illinois residents 16 and older became eligible for vaccinations. Previously, everyone 65 and older was eligible for vaccination.[3]
  • March 18, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced all residents age 16 and older would be eligible for vaccinations starting April 12.[4]
  • March 10, 2021: In Illinois, a federal vaccination site opened at United Center capable of administering up to 6,000 vaccines a day.[5]
  • March 3, 2021: Illinois residents age 65 and older started scheduling appointments to receive vaccinations at the United Center federal vaccination site. Other people in Phase 1b, including anyone with high-risk conditions and some frontline essential workers, were scheduled to start making appointments beginning March 7. The site was scheduled to start administering vaccinations on March 10.[6]
  • March 1, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced a federal vaccination site would open at United Center starting March 10.[7]
  • February 25, 2021: In Illinois, people ages 16 and older with state-defined high-risk conditions became eligible for vaccinations. The state’s list of qualifying conditions included cancer, obesity, and diabetes.[8]
  • February 10, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced people age 16 and older with state-defined high-risk conditions will be eligible for vaccinations starting Feb. 25. The state’s list of qualifying conditions included cancer, obesity, and diabetes.[9]
  • January 25, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced Phase 1B of vaccine distribution began Jan. 25. The phase was scheduled to include individuals age 65 and older and frontline essential workers.[10]
  • January 6, 2021: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan would include individuals 65 years of age and older, non-medical essential frontline workers (including first responders, school staff, and grocery store workers), and inmates. The press release did not include a target date for Phase 1B to begin.[11]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


As of September 7, 2021, Illinois had not issued any travel restrictions.

More information can be found at the Illinois Department of Public Health.

  • July 6, 2020: Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady issued an order requiring travelers entering the city of Chicago from states experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases to self-quarantine for 14 days. The order applied to travelers from the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.[12]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Illinois to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Illinois were closed to in-person instruction on March 13, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were in-person in Illinois .[13][14]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were using virtual or hybrid learning in Illinois .[15][16]
  • June 23, 2020: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) released guidance for reopening schools. The guidance required face coverings for all students and staff, prohibited gatherings of more than 50 people, and established temperature screenings and social distancing protocols.[17]


  • April 17, 2020: Pritzker closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through April 30.[18]
  • March 31, 2020: Pritzker announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 7, was extended through April 30.[19]
  • March 20, 2020: Pritzker announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end March 31, was extended through April 7.[20]
  • March 13, 2020: Pritzker closed all schools across the state until the end of March.[21]

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


On April 23, 2020, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) included a face-covering requirement in an extension of the state's stay-at-home order. The Illinois Department of Public Health issued guidance for individuals on the use of face coverings.

Pritzker signed an executive order exempting fully vaccinated individuals from most indoor mask requirements on May 17.

On June 11, 2021, Pritzker ended the statewide mask requirement.[22]

On Aug. 26, Pritzker announced he would reinstate an indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, effective Aug. 30.[23]

On Feb. 9, Pritzker announced he would end the statewide indoor mask requirement on Feb. 28.[24]


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Bailey v. Pritzker: On April 27, 2020, Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney granted a restraining order against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s (D) 30-day extension of the state’s stay-at-home order. According to CBS News Chicago, the restraining order applies only to the plaintiff in the case, state Rep. Darren Bailey (R). This means that Bailey does not have to follow the order past its prior expiration date. The order also gives other state residents the opportunity to join in the lawsuit or file their own. Pritzker said he would appeal the ruling. Pritzker appealed the order.[25]

Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church v. Pritzker: On May 16, 2020, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit denied a motion for a temporary stay against Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s (D) Executive Order 2020-32, which generally barred gatherings of more than 10 people, including religious gatherings. In an unsigned order, the panel wrote, "The Executive Order does not discriminate against religious activities, nor does it show hostility toward religion. It appears instead to impose neutral and generally applicable rules."[26]

The panel did grant the plaintiffs' motion for an expedited appeal. The suit originated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The plaintiffs, Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries, alleged that the governor's order violated their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. They motioned for an injunction barring enforcement of the order. On May 13, 2020, Judge Robert Gettleman rejected the motion, writing in his order, "Plaintiffs’ request for an injunction, and their blatant refusal to follow the mandates of the Order are both ill-founded and selfish. An injunction would risk the lives of plaintiffs’ congregants, as well as the lives of their family members, friends, co-workers and other members of their communities with whom they come in contact. Their interest in communal services cannot and does not outweigh the health and safety of the public."[27]

Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker: On June 15, 2020, the Illinois Republican Party, together with three local Republican groups, filed suit against Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In their complaint, Republicans argued that their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights had been violated because, "unlike churches, political parties are barred from gathering in groups greater than 10 under the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-38." Republicans said that "[w]hen the state grants access to one set of speakers, it must give equal access and treatment to all speakers of a similar character," contrasting their treatment to both that of churches and protesters. They have asked the court to enjoin the state from enforcing Executive Order 2020-38 against political parties. Pritzker’s spokeswoman, Jordan Abudayyeh, said, "[As] the Republicans who attended protests against the public health guidance are well aware, the State has never prevented people from exercising their First Amendment rights."[28][29]

On July 2, 2020, Judge Sara Lee Ellis, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, denied Republicans' motion for an injunction against the gathering-size restriction (which was subsequently raised to 50 people). Republicans appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. On Sept. 3, a three-judge panel rejected the appeal, finding that precedent "does not compel the Governor to treat all gatherings alike." The panel further concluded that "free exercise of religion enjoys express constitutional protection, and the Governor was entitled to carve out some room for religion, even while he declined to do so for other activities." Finally, the court emphasized that re-subjecting religious gatherings to the mandatory cap would "leave the Republicans no better off than they are today." Chief Judge Diane Wood and Judges Amy St. Eve and Amy Coney Barrett sat on the panel and were unanimous in their decision.[30][31]

Daniel Suhr, counsel for the Republican Party, said in a statement, "We are disappointed in the decision, respectfully disagree with it, and are considering our options."[32]

Pritzker v. Board of Education of Hutsonville CUSD #1: On July 16, 2020, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) filed suit in Sangamon County Circuit Court against three schools that had announced their refusal to comply with mandatory COVID-19 health and safety protocols for students and faculty returning to the classroom in the fall. At issue in the case were Executive Order 2020-05, which closed schools across the state, and Executive Orders 2020-40 and 2020-44, which allowed schools to resume in-person instruction subject to public health directives issued by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). IDPH and ISBE guidance stipulated that public and nonpublic schools implement certain health and safety measures before reopening. This included a requirement that individuals in school facilities wear face coverings. The preemptive suit came after the defendants, a public school district and two private schools, informed the state that they would not abide by the guidance, arguing that it "is unlawful, is arbitrary and unreasonable, and was issued without legal authority." Pritzker countered in his complaint that the Illinois Constitution and the Emergency Management Act provided him emergency powers during disasters, and thus formed a legal basis for his school guidance. Pritzker’s suit sought a judicial declaration confirming the legality of his executive orders and the reopening guidance, as well as injunctive relief requiring that the three schools cease their refusal to comply with the orders and guidance.[33]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Sam Yingling Illinois House of Representatives District 62 September 21, 2020 On September 21, a spokesperson for Yingling announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus and began self-quarantining.[34]
David Welter Illinois House of Representatives District 75 October 16, 2020 Welter announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.[35]
Mike Bost U.S. House Illinois District 12 October 12, 2020 Bost announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[36]
Chris Welch Illinois House of Representatives District 7 November 29, 2020 Welch announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[37]
Cheri Bustos U.S. House Illinois District 17 November 16, 2020 Bustos announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[38]
Edgar Gonzalez Jr. Illinois House of Representatives District 21 May 18, 2020 On May 18, 2020, Gonzalez announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[39]
J.B. Pritzker Governor of Illinois May 11, 2020 Pritzker announced he would self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus. Pritzker tested negative for the virus.[40] He entered quarantine a second time on September 29, 2020.[41]
Betsy Londrigan Candidate, U.S. House Illinois District 13 March 15, 2020 Londrigan announced she would self-quarantine after she had been exposed to a person who had tested positive for coronavirus.[42]
Kwame Raoul Attorney General of Illinois June 16, 2020 Raoul announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19, the diseases caused by the novel coronavirus.[43]
Carrie Austin Chicago City Council Ward 34 July 13, 2020 Austin announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[44]
Maurice West II Illinois House of Representatives District 67 January 13, 2022 West announced on January 13, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[45]
Brad Schneider U.S. House Illinois District 10 January 12, 2021 Schneider announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[46]
Lori Lightfoot Mayor of Chicago, Illinois January 11, 2022 Lightfoot announced on January 11, 2022, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.[47]
Jim Langfelder Mayor of Springfield, Illinois January 10, 2022 Langfelder announced on January 10, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[48]
Juliana Stratton Lieutenant Governor of Illinois December 30, 2021 Stratton announced on December 30, 2021, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.[49]
Thaddeus Jones Illinois House of Representatives District 29 December 3, 2021 Jones announced on December 3, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[50]
Bobby Rush U.S. House Illinois District 1 December 27, 2021 Rush announced on December 27, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[51]
Jan Schakowsky U.S. House Illinois District 9 December 23, 2021 Schakowsky announced on December 23, 2021, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.[52]
Michael Scott Jr. Chicago City Council Ward 24 August 6, 2020 Scott announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[53]
Rodney Davis (Illinois) U.S. House Illinois District 13 August 5, 2020 Davis announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[54]
Dan McConchie Illinois State Senate District 26 August 20, 2021 McConchie announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[55]
Don Harmon (Illinois) Illinois State Senate District 39 August 16, 2021 Harmon announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated before he contracted the virus.[56]
Kimberly Lightford Illinois State Senate District 4 April 14, 2021 Lightford announced she tested positive for COVID-19.[57]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Found on page 13 of the state's vaccination plan.
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL513
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL412
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL318
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL310
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL33
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL31
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL225
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL210
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL125
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IL16
  12. ↑ City of Chicago, "Emergency Travel Order," accessed July 7, 2020
  13. ↑ Burbio rated Illinois' in-person index at 73.5. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  14. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  15. ↑ Burbio rated Illinois' in-person index between 0-20. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  16. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  17. ↑ ABC7, "Illinois school reopening plan released, classes to resume in fall," June 23, 2020
  18. ↑ WBEZ, "Illinois Governor Shuts Schools For The Duration Of The School Year," April 17, 2020
  19. ↑ NBC Chicago, "Illinois Schools to Remain Closed to On-Site Learning Through April 30," March 31, 2020
  20. ↑ NBC Chicago, "Illinois Schools’ Closure Extended Through April 7," March 20, 2020
  21. ↑ Fox32 Chicago, "Illinois shuts down all schools due to coronavirus," September 14, 2020
  22. ↑ Illinois Office of the Governor, "Gov. Pritzker Issues Guidelines for Illinois Reopening on June 11," accessed June 11, 2021
  23. ↑ YouTube, "LIVE: Gov. Pritzker announces mask mandate, school vaccine requirement," August 26, 2021
  24. ↑ Associated Press, "Illinois governor to lift mask mandate except for schools," February 9, 2022
  25. ↑ Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, "Pritzker appeals Clay County ruling over disaster powers," April 27, 2020
  26. ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, "Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church v. Pritzker: Order," May 16, 2020
  27. ↑ United States District for the Northern District of Illinois, "Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church v. Pritzker: Memorandum Opinion and Order," May 13, 2020
  28. ↑ United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, "Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker: Complaint," June 15, 2020
  29. ↑ WTTW, "Illinois GOP Sues Gov. Pritzker Over Ban on Large Gatherings," June 16, 2020
  30. ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, "Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker: Order," September 3, 2020
  31. ↑ United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, "Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker: Opinion and Order," July 2, 2020
  32. ↑ Law360, "7th Circ. Keeps Illinois' COVID-19 Quarantine Order Afloat," September 3, 2020
  33. ↑ Sangamon County Circuit Court, "Pritzker v. Board of Education of Hutsonville CUSD#1: Verified Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief," July 16, 2020
  34. ↑ Daily Herald, "State Rep. Yingling tests positive for COVID-19," September 21, 2020
  35. ↑ WJOL, "Local State Rep. Tests Positive For COVID-19," October 16, 2020
  36. ↑ WJOL, "U.S. Representative Mike Bost Tests Positive For COVID-19," October 12, 2020
  37. ↑ ABC 7 Chicago, "District 7 Rep. Chris Welch isolating after contracting COVID-19 within family circle," November 29, 2020
  38. ↑ The Hill', "Bustos tests positive for COVID-19," November 16, 2020
  39. ↑ Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, "Rookie state representative sidelined by COVID-19," May 26, 2020
  40. ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Pritzker: Senior staffer positive for COVID-19, so ‘rest of the team, myself included, is working from home’," May 11, 2020
  41. ↑ PBS, "llinois Gov. Pritzker will quarantine 2 weeks," September 29, 2020
  42. ↑ Belleville News-Democrat, "Illinois 13th Democratic candidate to self-quarantine after exposure to coronavirus," March 15, 2020
  43. ↑ Book Club Chicago, "Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Tests Positive For Coronavirus," June 16, 2020
  44. ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Ald. Carrie Austin reveals she tested positive for the coronavirus," July 13, 2020
  45. ↑ 23 WIFR, "State Rep. Maurice West tests positive for COVID-19," January 13, 2022
  46. ↑ NBC Chicago, "Rep. Brad Schneider Tests Positive for COVID-19 After Lockdown During Capitol Riot," January 12, 2020
  47. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot tests positive for COVID-19; CPS CEO so far negative after appearance with mayor," January 12, 2022
  48. ↑ The State Journal-Register, "Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder tests positive for COVID-19," January 11, 2022
  49. ↑ 5 Chicago, "Illinois Lieutenant Governor Has Breakthrough COVID-19 Case," December 30, 2021
  50. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones, a state rep, tests positive for COVID-19, in quarantine," December 3, 2021
  51. ↑ New York Post, "Rep. Bobby Rush is latest member of Congress to test positive for COVID," December 27, 2021
  52. ↑ The Hill, "Rep. Jan Schakowsky says she and her husband have tested positive for COVID-19," December 23, 2021
  53. ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Ald. Scott tests positive for COVID-19 after appearing with Lightfoot — but mayor tests negative," August 6, 2020
  54. ↑ [https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403838&utm_campaign=wp_the_daily_202&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_daily202 Rodney Davis, "Davis Statement on His Positive COVID-19 Test ," August 5, 2020]
  55. ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Illinois Senate Republican leader tests positive for COVID-19 following state fair," August 21, 2021
  56. ↑ Associated Press, "Illinois Senate president reports ‘breakthrough’ COVID case," August 16, 2021
  57. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Illinois Senate majority leader Kimberly Lightford diagnosed with COVID-19," April 14, 2021
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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State responses to coronavirus
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