Governor Pritzker Issues Stay Home Order; Exemptions will Allow Many Businesses to Remain Open.

Governor Pritzker ordered the entire state of Illinois to stay home effective tomorrow. He also ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses starting Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. until April 7, 2020.

Governor Pritzker’s order is a serious effort to address a deadly pandemic. Many businesses will find that they are exempt from the order, however. There are so many exceptions to this order, in fact, that they nearly consume the rule. For example, the definition of Essential Businesses and Operations at paragraph 12 includes 23 different categories of businesses including cannabis operations. Additional Illinois businesses exempted by the Order are set forth in the very broad definition of Essential Infrastructure at paragraph 9. When interpreting Essential Infrastructure, the order says it should be “construed broadly.”

Many of CCM’s clients will be exempt from the Governor’s Stay at Home order. Each business should analyze its situation on a case by case basis, however. We encourage our clients to get in touch with attorneys at CCM that can help them interpret and comply with the Order.