Reopening: All Illinois Regions On Track To Move Into Next Phase

ACROSS ILLINOIS — All counties in Illinois, including Cook and Chicago's collar counties, are currently on track to move into the next phase under the governor's Restore Illinois plan amid the coronavirus pandemic. All of Illinois is currently in Phase 2, and no region can move on to Phase 3 until the end of the month at the earliest.

In the northeast region, which has seen the highest case counts and deaths, the positivity rate is currently 19.9 percent, and hospital admissions have dipped by 23.3 percent, on average, since May 1. The positivity rate, which is the percent of COVID-19 positive tests out of the total number of tests performed, must be, on average, under 20 percent over a 14-day period for a region to move on to the next phase.

There are four regions in Illinois, and for any region to move on to Phase 3, its rate of infection among those who have been surveillance tested must be stable or declining. Coronavirus-related hospitalizations and ICU capacity must also remain stable or decrease.

Under Phase 3, face coverings in public will continue to be required. Gatherings of 10 people or fewer for any reason can resume — not just "essential" gatherings. Select industries and personal care businesses — like health clubs, barbershops and salons — can begin returning to workplaces, with social distancing and sanitization practices in place. Retail businesses can reopen with limited capacity in Phase 3.

Barbershops and salons will be required to implement Illinois Department of Public Health safety guidance, and health and fitness clubs can provide outdoor classes and one-on-one training, but not indoor group classes.

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During his daily briefing on Thursday, Pritzker noted that all regions are currently meeting the benchmarks needed to move on to the next phase. Pointing specifically to the northeast region, Pritzker said "it's highly likely" the Chicago area would meet the necessary benchmarks to begin reopening under Phase 3.

But people need to stay the course to make sure that happens, state officials reiterated again on Thursday. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said local officials should work with the state on reopening plans instead of bucking the state's order.

And Pritzker said, overall, that's what leaders in towns across the state have been doing. But the few that have pushed back, making decisions to reopen that go against the Restore Illinois plan, are getting more attention, he said.

"These are the very loud voices of those defying science and data," he said.

As of Thursday, 87,937 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Illinois and there have been 3,928 deaths. There have been 3,229 new cases reported in the past day in the state and 136 additional deaths.

This is a developing story. Check back to Patch for updates.