Lake County Gazette

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued his 40th COVID-19 disaster proclamation, extending his own emergency powers for more than three years since the pandemic started on March 8, 2020.

While none of Illinois' neighboring states are facing emergency rulings, Pritzker has now held emergency powers for nearly three-fourths of his time in office. He has said his declarations will end on May 11 to coincide with President Biden’s end of the federal emergency.

When the newest proclamation ends April 2, Pritzker will have held emergency powers for 1,116 of his 1,539 days in office.

Gov. Gavin Newsom ended California’s COVID-19 state of emergency on Feb. 28. Georgia is under a state of emergency, but for supply chain disruptions related to the pandemic, not the virus itself.

Once the proclamation ends, “All sectors of the economy reopen with new health and hygiene practices permanently in place," Pritzker's Restore Illinois Plan reads. "Large gatherings of all sizes can resume. Public health experts focus on lessons learned and building out the public health infrastructure needed to meet and overcome future challenges.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Illinois saw approximately 4 million COVID-19 cases and administered approximately 26,000 vaccines.

In July, Pritzker tested positive for COVID.

“I’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and am experiencing mild symptoms, but thanks to anti-viral medications like Paxlovid and vaccines I’ll be on the mend much quicker,” the governor said, NBC Chicago reported.

Mayo Clinic wrote that wearing masks, vaccination, hand-washing, and social distancing slows the spread of the COVID-19 virus.