This afternoon, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced it has processed more than 1.2 million claims in last eleven weeks.

In response to these alarming numbers, the Chamber released the following statement: 

"We are calling on Governor Pritzker to begin including unemployment numbers in his metrics for Illinois' reopening plan," said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch. "Over 16 percent unemployment is its own crisis and the unemployment statistics need to be considered on equal footing with public health metrics. The administration has assembled a team of public health officials charged with bringing down COVID-19 statistics. The administration needs to appoint a team that is every bit as committed to bringing down the unprecedented figure of 16.4 percent unemployment in Illinois. 
 
"Taking unemployment into account would encourage a more comprehensive and equitable reopening that incorporates ideas from the business community, like those in Senate Bill 3993 that Leader Brady introduced yesterday."

We will continue to advocate for more aggressive policies to combat the economic crisis along with the public health crisis.

Sincerely,

Todd Maisch  

Office Source Inc. has general purpose, disposable face masks available (while supplies last).

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Bradford National Bank to Host Spring Secure Shredding Day in Highland

Bradford National Bank will be hosting a free secure shredding and recycling day this weekend.  This Saturday, May 23th from 9-11am, the shred truck will be at Bradford National Bank in Highland, located at 1100 Mercantile Drive.

This service is being provided as a free service by Bradford National Bank.  

Many items can be recycled; however, Bradford National Bank recommends the secure destruction of financial documents such as canceled checks, bank statements, tax files, old bills and investment statements.  

Randy Alderman, Bradford National Bank Security Officer, said, “These events have become very popular as residents are understanding the importance of securely destroying their old financial documents to help combat identity theft.”  He added, “We are pleased to provide this important service to the community at no charge.”

Delivery of items to be shredded can be contact-less as well, considering the current social distancing guidelines.  Shred workers can remove the boxes and bags from the back seat, trunk, hatch, or bed of a truck.  Users of this service do not even have to get out of their car.  Items received will be shredded on-site.

If you have any questions or require more information, call 664-2200 or visit Bradford National Bank online at www.bradfordbank.com.

TO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES:

Summer is just around the corner and we can’t wait to start enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. The days are flying by and we are enjoying Nurses week and National Skilled Nursing Home week. Stay tuned to our Junes Newsletter for pictures of these fun events.

We want to extend a huge “THANK YOU” to all our nurses and staff. It is because of them, their hard work and dedication that we are thriving in these times. We appreciate all that they do every day.

Remember to like us on Facebook to keep updated with facility events and updates. Also, our website is up and running and is a great resource for facility updates. Check us out at www. highland-hcc.com.

...

Innovation has become more important in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic as hospitals look for ways to provide care more safely to prevent the spread of the virus amongst their staff.

Stevens Industries, Inc. of Teutopolis, is the largest commercial cabinet company in North America, serving mostly hospitals and schools in 35 states.  While they are used to manufacturing cabinetry, they recently took time to manufacture and donate an important tool to help keep staff at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland safe – an intubation box.

Chamber member CASA of Southern Illinois is seeking donations of face masks and hand sanitizer. If you are able to contribute to the vital work of CASA please contact them here.

To learn more about CASA's mission, please click here.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is introducing a measure, Senate Bill 3993, to expedite the reopening of business in Illinois in the safest, most equitable way possible. The legislation, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), directs the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to establish the Safe Place of Business (SPB) protocols on or before May 30, 2020, to give guidance to all businesses and allowing them to reopen once protocols are met.

“The proposal put forward by the Illinois Chamber is an important step in moving the discussion forward on how we safely reopen our state and get our economy moving forward more quickly,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, sponsor of the measure in the Illinois Senate.

The protocols include customer density limits based on business facilities’ square footage and appropriate social distancing, face covering requirements for all employees and regular cleaning regimens. Protocols may vary, based on the prevalence of COVID-19 diagnoses within the 11 Department of Public Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) regions. Regions with higher instances of COVID-19 may have lower density thresholds and more frequent cleaning requirements. IDPH will publish additional protocols for specific customer-facing businesses as necessary. Any business that complies with their regional SPB protocols will be able to reopen and rehire staff at their discretion as soon as practical.

“Reopening should be safe and equitable for all Illinois communities,”said Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch. “Thousands of businesses across Illinois have been operating safely from day one of the shutdown. Any business that proves they can operate as safely as the ones that have been open this whole time should be allowed to reopen as soon as possible.”

The legislation also addresses daycare shortages to help ease the burden for parents and workers deemed 'non-essential' returning to a physical location of business and those working from home safe and reliable care. All daycares would be allowed to reopen or expand capacity at their discretion as soon as practical in compliance with SPB protocols.

“The government is placing an unreasonable expectation on parents and guardians by not allowing care centers to reopen along with places of business,” said Maisch. “It is impossible for anyone deemed ‘non-essential’ to return to a physical location or continue to work from home for an extended time without proper care for their children and dependents. Besides providing a safe place, care centers provide children and people with disabilities structure, education and social interaction that is vital to their mental health and well- being.”

The legislation allows hospitals and other health care facilities located in regions that have adequate Intensive Care Unit capacity that adhere to their SPB protocols to resume performing any services for any patients needing care. It also directs IDPH to conduct a public information campaign explaining the safety measures that should be implemented to encourage non-COVID-19 patients to seek necessary care.

In addition, the state will adopt common sense strategies such as allowing physicians licensed in one state to practice in others and create financial incentives to accelerate the implementation of tele-medicine to allow the health care community to better assist the state’s response in public health emergencies.

Finally, to better prepare Illinois in the case of future pandemics or emergencies, SB 3993 incorporates the legislature into the recovery process by preventing the governor from extending an initial disaster proclamation without the General Assembly passage of a resolution that approves the extension, in whole or in part, within five calendar days after the extension or further proclamation.

If, due to health or safety concerns, the General Assembly is unable to convene to approve the extension, the extension may remain in effect with written certification from the Speaker of the House, the Senate President and the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

You can view more information here.

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If you feel strongly about this bill, please reach out to our local Senator, Jason Plummer, and share your opinion.

An Air Force Reserve C-40C aircraft from the 932nd Airlift Wing is scheduled to salute local medical professionals and first responders during a flyover on Monday, May 25. The flight will depart from Scott Air Force Base at approximately 11:50 a.m. 

The C-40C aircraft will fly over the Belleville Memorial Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s, Memorial East, St. Joseph’s in Highland, Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, and will conclude near the VA Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks on the Missouri side of the river before heading back to base. This flyover is a part of the U.S. Air Force’s OPERATION: AMERICA STRONG effort to salute those at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. Protecting our nation has taken a new shape, and the Illinois Reserve unit is proud to serve alongside first responders and essential personnel in the COVID-19 response efforts. Currently, 24 medical members of the 932nd Airlift Wing are mobilized nationwide to help with COVID-19. This flyover salute is being conducted at no additional cost to the taxpayer and is accomplished in conjunction with regularly scheduled training. 

“We not only have our own Reserve Citizen Airmen deployed in the fight against COVID-19, but many 932nd AW Reservists also work in local medical facilities,” said Col. Glenn Collins, 932nd Airlift Wing commander. “This training flight is a way to honor all health care workers and first responders who protect the people of this great nation. We are proud of the sacrifice medical heroes have made working both locally and nationally on the frontlines to keep our citizens safe from COVID-19,” he said. The 932nd Airlift Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command unit of approximately 1,100 Reservists who train in Illinois. 

Location TIME: 

Belleville Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Illinois Noon 

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Illinois 12:03 

Memorial East Hospital, Shiloh, Illinois 12:05 

St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland, Illinois 12:15

Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO 12:30 

VA Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks, MO 12:45

Wednesday morning, the U.S. Chamber published a new Paycheck Protection Program Guide to Forgiveness.  Like previous guides, this document provides businesses with an easy to understand explanation of what they need to do to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans.  Click here to download the guide.  Please note, this guide will be updated as new guidance is issued by the Dept. of the Treasury.  

Also, they have updated their Reopening Business Digital Resource Center as new state guidance is issued.  Click here to access the resources center. 

Retail Podcast 411: Nikki Baird on Reopening Safely and Sanely

In this podcast episode of Tell Me Something Good About Retail, Bob Phibbs interviews Nikki Baird, VP of Retail Innovation at Aptos Retail. They talk about the state of retail and the need to get the circulation back into our economy. You can listen here. Sponsored by Springboard Retail.  And if you enjoy the podcast on Apple, please give them a great review so more people can find the podcast.

Dear Colleague,
Gateway Foundation is here to support you and your employees during these difficult times. We have found that the two big questions facing many employers, and those supporting large employee groups are: 
  The Office of the Surgeon General reports that substance misuse is estimated to cost society $442 billion each year. Employers absorb the bulk of these costs through health care expenditures, absenteeism, and lost productivity. Substance use in the workplace has the potential to cripple productivity, derail an organization's expansion, and diminish the bottom line.

During this pandemic, individuals who are quarantining alone are a higher risk population for relapsing and needing support. Helping guide employees toward treatment during these difficult times is a proactive and ultimately cost-effective course of action that lets them know they are a valued part of the organization. It has been reported by the Washington Post that 23% of Illinoisans' drink during the workday.

For over 50 years Gateway Foundation has led the industry in treating Substance Use Disorder and co-occurring mental health, touching the lives of over one million individuals and their families. Gateway Foundation programs are evidence-based practices, not one-size-fits-all, but unique treatment plans that fit the employees or family member's goals. Our goal is to ensure their recovery is successful and sustainable.
Gateway Foundation Offers

All levels of treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders, including Virtual Outpatient Services

• Free in-depth consults to help employees understand treatment options
• In-network treatment for most health insurance plans
• Flexible treatment plans that can be scheduled around work
• Support options for family members of employees struggling with SUD
• Continued recovery support after discharging from our programs

Over fourteen treatment center locations across Illinois serving the Midwest.
The ripple effect of this pandemic has the potential to create serious long-term –economic and employer –wellness issues. If Gateway Foundation can assist your company or employees in any way, feel free to contact us at our 24-hour helpline 877-505-HOPE (4673).
Wishing you, your colleagues, and employees continued safety during this health crisis, 

Gateway Foundation

 
If you would like to participate in our upcoming free webinar on "Signs and Symptoms Your Employee May Be Using While Working from Home", please email us at marketing@gatewayfoundation.org