Thread by @GovPritzker

In order to keep #COVID19 transmission rates as low as possible, we will close all K-12 schools - public and private - across the state of Illinois starting Tuesday, March 17th, through March 30th.

Let me be clear, I understand the gravity of this action and what it means for every community in our state, as well as the families and caretakers of the 2 million students that gather in large groups every day in school classrooms.

None of the choices that we have had to make over the last week have been easy or simple.

All of these choices have cascading effects for citizens and vulnerable populations when it comes to food access, safety, child care and social services.

.@ISBEnews will be fully staffed over the coming weekend and during the closure period to help district administrators work through individualized issues and challenges in each community.

I want to address the first consequence that will come to mind for so many: food access.

@ISBEnews has received the necessary waivers to continue to distribute two meals a day to children who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

We are also working directly with the eight major food banks across the state as well as food manufacturers to ramp up capacity to serve our most vulnerable children.

I’m speaking in the very literal sense when I say that having the general public stay home, one day at a time, will have a massive effect on bending this curve — and that means lives saved.

The scientists and doctors agree.

The statistics are there.

We have seen positive results in countries that took aggressive action, and we have seen the tragic outcomes in countries that did not.

There are things you can do to assist your neighbors and your friends and your family.

So please, this weekend: if you can, stay home.

If you are able to telework, do so.

If you don’t have to travel – don’t.

This isn’t forever – this is a sacrifice in the short-term.

Everyone will make a sacrifice – but of course, these sacrifices run deeper for some residents than others.

I am working to do everything I can to help our working families during this unprecedented national crisis.

Already, we’ve filed emergency rules granting workers who are unemployed due to COVID-19 access to unemployment benefits.

I’m reaching out to the heads of all utility companies around the state to maintain services to all Illinoisans, regardless of their ability to pay.

In collaboration with @ILAttyGeneral, I have requested the ICC initiate an emergency proceeding on a moratorium on shut offs and changes to payment and collection policies to ensure Illinoisans aren’t saddled with debt if they’re unable to pay their bills during this crisis.

I continue to press the federal government to massively scale up our testing capacity as a nation.

Here in Illinois, @IDPH & our hospital partners have developed a robust testing capability & are ramping up to sufficient weekly testing to accurately surveil our state population.

I want to be clear: not everyone is going to need a test.

We have to prioritize those who are sick enough for the hospital, and our elderly residents and individuals who are otherwise immunocompromised.

We will all be better off if health care workers have first access.

All of the evidence that medical experts have provided us is that even 24 hours can make a difference when it comes to the timing of these decisions.

I will not have us look back after we are through the immediate challenges and say that we didn’t take action soon enough.

I will leave nothing on the table when it comes to protecting our communities.

We’ve seen what happens in places that didn’t move with urgency.

I ask all of you not to hesitate to do the right thing for your family, your friends, and your community.

One small step at a time, we will get through this together.