Senator Jim Oberweis is joining his colleagues in offering a safe and responsible reopening plan for residents and businesses in Illinois.

The 25th District Senator is co-sponsoring new legislation that establishes protocols for businesses to resume operations and begin rehiring, with public safety guidelines to protect patrons and customers.  Senate Bill 3993 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to establish and publish Safe Place of Business protocols by May 30.

"Initially, we understood the need to stay at home, to flatten the curve and protect the public.  But as one stay-at-home order was replaced by another, suburban employers let us know in no uncertain terms that they were struggling, which also affected their employees," Senator Oberweis said.  "What I like about Senate Bill 3993 is that it provides medical guidelines businesses can use in their particular situations. I believe that today most businesses know what protocols are needed to open safely, responsibly and reasonably."

The Safe Place of Business protocols will include:

•        Customer density limits based on business facilities’ square footage and appropriate social distancing;

•        Face covering requirements for employees; and

•        Regular cleaning regimens.

Senate Bill 3993 would also require any future extension of the Governor’s initial disaster proclamation to be approved by the General Assembly.

“This legislation also reestablishes a clear directive that the Executive Branch needs to consult the General Assembly in such decisions,” said Senator Oberweis.  “The Executive Orders have, to date, been based on data and conditions in one region of the state but applied with a broad brush to communities in the rest of the state, much to their detriment.”