Disaster declared for Union County
A disaster declaration was issued Tuesday for Union County in response to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
The declaration was issued by Union County Board of Commissioners chairman Max Miller.
The declaration declares:
Pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Act, the executive officer of a political subdivision, being the chairman of the county board may, by proclamation, declare a local disaster...
...a significant outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has emerged in China...
...COVID-19 is a novel severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among people through respiratory transmissions...
...Union County is continuing in its efforts to prepare for any eventuality given that this is a novel illness with known health risks it poses for the young, elderly, and those with prior existing medical conditions that complicate the symptoms of COVID-19...
...as of March 23, 2020, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports there are 1,285 active COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths in the State of Illinois due to COVID-19...
...on March 9, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued a state-wide disaster proclamation due to COVID-19...
...on March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a national emergency...
...on March 20, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued “Executive Order in Response to COVID-19...essentially a “stay home” order to all Illinois residents fitting the guidelines outlined in the executive order...
...Therefore, I Max Miller by virtue of the authority vested in me as County Board Chairman of the County of Union, Illinois, and pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Act...proclaim that a disaster exists within Union County, Illinois, and requiring the enactment of the emergency operations plan set forth in Union County, Illinois. This declaration is effective March 24, 2020, and shall continue for a period not to exceed 7 days, unless extended by the Board of Commissioners of Union County.
County officials noted that it has been recommended that counties pass this type of proclamation in order to be eligible for reimbursement of COVID-19 expenses if funds are made available.