Governor JB Pritzker has issued a “shelter-in-place” order statewide, effective Saturday at 5pm and continuing until April 7th.

All Illinois residents are expected to stay at home except for “essential travel,” such as to the grocery store, drug store, bank, or for medical care. Workers considered essential will also be allowed to travel… including manufacturing workers making needed products… grocery store employees… workers for food delivery or carryout… first responders… and members of the news media. Pritzker says interstates and other roads will remain open… as will grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, and medical facilities. But the governor says “non-essential” businesses must stop operating. The governor also says schools will remain closed across Illinois until at least April 8th.

This follows another big increase in coronavirus cases in Illinois, with 163 new confirmed cases Friday. That brings the state total to 585 in 25 counties. There is also one new fatality in Illinois, a Cook County woman in her 70s.