On Thursday, April 23, 2020, Governor J. B. Ptitzker decreed that Illinois residents should stay at home through Sunday, May 31. His order is designed to keep citizens from venturing out and interacting with crowds, which is a dangerous and effective means of spreading the coronavirus. Experts originally thought the number of COVID-19 cases would peak by the second half of April. Many predicted the the number would be in decline by the end of this month. The Governor stated the peak in Illinois cases will not come until May. “This is the part when we have to dig in,” he explained. Here is the link: https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/news-item.aspx?ReleaseID=21459.
His other change moved face coverings from “suggestion” to “requirement.” Beginning May 1, anyone over the age of two will be required to wear a face covering or mask when in public–both outdoors and inside buildings–if the 6-foot social distance between people cannot be maintained.
The order was relaxed to allow some outdoor activities; many previously barred surgeries/medical treatments; reopening of some retailers to fill online and pickup orders.