Governor JB Pritzker says coronavirus could force Italy-style lockdown in Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is prepared to order travel and quarantine restrictions in Illinois to limit the spread of coronavirus if scientific guidance recommends it.

“We really have tried to think ahead: what if, and how would we implement that? The restrictions put in place in France, Spain, Italy, those are things we’re looking at. Maybe we need to do those things sooner, or right now,” Pritzker said during a news conference in downtown Belleville Wednesday. “I am also trying to be cognizant that the science, the guidance that we’re getting, isn’t quite there yet, and I want to follow that.”

Those nations, where COVID-19 spread rapidly, have placed severe restrictions on travel and quarantined residents to their homes.

The Illinois National Guard activated roughly 60 members to deliver meals to children who are out of school and don’t have access to food, Pritzker said. The members are stationed in Peoria and will be dispersed from there as the need grows.

While he issued a ban on groups of 50 people or more, Pritzker advised Illinoisans to adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to avoid gatherings of more than 10.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly also reminded restaurant and bar owners of the consequences they face if they decide to violate the governor’s order to limit service to curbside pickup, drive-thru or delivery. They could lose their business license, liquor license, operating permit and face permanent closure, Kelly said.

As of Tuesday, there was one confirmed coronavirus case in Madison County, two in Clinton County and two in St. Clair County. Statewide, there were 160 cases in 15 counties, and officials also announced the first COVID-19 death in Illinois.

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 12:26 PM.