* If you click here and read the governor’s new executive order, you’ll see the state statutes listed that justify his decision to close restaurants and bars and limit the size of gatherings to less than 50 people. The powers derive from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and the governor is invoking sections 7(1), 7(2), 7(3) and 7(8). Here they are…

Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor. In the event of a disaster, as defined in Section 4, the Governor may, by proclamation declare that a disaster exists. Upon such proclamation, the Governor shall have and may exercise for a period not to exceed 30 days the following emergency powers; provided, however, that the lapse of the emergency powers shall not, as regards any act or acts occurring or committed within the 30-day period, deprive any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or body politic of any right or rights to compensation or reimbursement which he, she, it, or they may have under the provisions of this Act:

(1) To suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conduct of State business, or the orders, rules and regulations of any State agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action, including emergency purchases, by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in coping with the disaster.

(2) To utilize all available resources of the State government as reasonably necessary to cope with the disaster and of each political subdivision of the State.

(3) To transfer the direction, personnel or functions of State departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating disaster response and recovery programs.

(8) To control ingress and egress to and from a disaster area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein.

The “movement of persons” and “occupancy of premises” are the most important here, I think. The entire state has been declared a disaster area.

* Disaster’s definition…

“Disaster” means an occurrence or threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or technological cause, including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, hazardous materials spill or other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage, epidemic, air contamination, blight, extended periods of severe and inclement weather, drought, infestation, critical shortages of essential fuels and energy, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, public health emergencies, or acts of domestic terrorism.

…Adding… Read to the bottom of the EO and you’ll see he also suspended the section of the Open Meetings Act that requires local members of a public body to be physically present for votes.