Illinois Governor Issues Stay-at-Home Order
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a “stay at home” order for the entire state starting Saturday at 5 p.m. through April 7.
Residents can still go to the grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and make pharmacy runs, the governor said at a Friday afternoon news conference. All local roads, including the interstate highways and tollways, will remain open to traffic, as well.
“For the vast majority of you already taking precautions, your lives will not change very much,” Pritzker said.
The reopening date for schools statewide has been tentatively postponed until April 8, Pritzker said. He urged patience in the fast-evolving health crisis.
“We don’t know yet all the steps we’re going to have to take to get this virus under control,” said Pritzker, who added that the state “would rise to this occasion.”[The latest] Cast is locked up together at Annoyance Theatre to create a video show in 10 days — finding the funny in all our claustrophobia »
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said “now is not the time for half measures” and urged people to follow the order to stay at home.
“You must stay home,” she said. “This is not a lockdown, or martial law.”
“This is clearly not a decision that was made lightly, nor by one person,” she said. “These are choices that must be made for the good of all residents.”
Lightfoot also urged people not to run to grocery stores and wipe them out. “Be mindful of your neighbors and do not hoard supplies,” she said.