Illinois House of Representatives – COVID-19 Special Session Plan
This document describes the preparation for and conduct of special session for the House while the
COVID-19 pandemic continues to present a significant health hazard and large gatherings of people
are being discouraged. This plan pulls from guidance issued by the Department of Public Health,
which is informed by experts from FEMA, the CDC, and other medical advice.
Furthermore, this plan was developed in consultation with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the
Secretary of State’s Office, including the Capitol Police, the Illinois State Police, both Democrat and
Republican members of the House, and bipartisan legislative staff. This plan is designed to ensure the
health and safety of legislators, legislative staff, other support personnel, and the public.
1) In advance of session:
a. Members will be asked to indicate their willingness to follow the public health and safety
guidelines established by medical experts by signing a pledge.
b. Travel to Springfield should be done individually, in one’s own vehicle. Public
transportation, car-pooling, and ride-sharing should be avoided.
c. Individual hotel rooms should be utilized – those who typically share accommodations
should stay in hotel rooms instead.
d. Members and staff should be tested for COVID-19 in the days before the House is to
resume, even if asymptomatic or recovered from a previous infection. Any member or staff
who tests positive or feels ill should remain home, consult with a healthcare professional
and self-quarantine.
e. Those who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should consider not
traveling to Springfield for session.
f.

Members should refrain from bringing companions to Springfield, including spouses and
children.

2) Entry into the BoS Center:
a. Security on site will be provided by the Illinois State Police.
b. Members and staff will have access to the parking garage to the northwest of the building.
c. Members and staff will enter the north side of the lobby for admittance to the floor level;
members of the public will enter the south side of the lobby for admittance to the
mezzanine level.
d. Entry into the building, for all persons, will include passing through a magnetometer to
prohibit weapons; this process of entry into the building will be overseen by law
enforcement personnel.
e. All persons entering the building must submit to a touchless temperature check; those with
a temperature of 100F or higher must leave and should submit to a test for COVID-19.
Anyone testing positive should consult with a healthcare professional and self-quarantine.
f.

Signage will advise individuals of the common symptoms of COVID-19; those who are
experiencing those symptoms or have been in close contact with someone experiencing
them should return home, consult with a healthcare professional and self-quarantine.

g. All persons admitted into the building must wear a face covering at all times. Cloth masks
will be provided to members and staff.
h. Law enforcement will limit the number of members of the public allowed in the building,
based on the available area to seat and monitor them.

 3) Protocols inside the BoS Center:
a. Members will be arranged on the floor level, using individual, 6 ft. tables configured in a
manner similar to the House floor, around a podium and well area.
b. A limited number of staff will be physically present at both the BoS Center and the Capitol
Complex. All other staff will continue to work remotely.
c. Members of the public will be arranged on the mezzanine level, in a configuration that
permits social distancing and in an area that can be sufficiently monitored, based on law
enforcement guidelines.
d. Members of the media will have access to a location above the floor, on the mezzanine
level; they will be asked to create a pool to minimize the number of people physically
present.
e. Sanitation stations will be placed at key locations.
f.

Janitorial staff will be engaged in a robust sanitizing practice multiple times a day, with
special attention to door handles, hand railings, and other frequently-touched surfaces.

4) Conduct of Session
a. Committees, if needed, will occur on the House floor area. Members who do not serve on
the committee may stay to observe, but are not required to be present at that time.
b. As many microphones as possible will be placed throughout the floor for members to
approach and access.
c. The Clerk will conduct roll call voting, with a program that will allow the votes to be
displayed on a screen. Members’ laptops will be able to access ilga.gov to review the
legislation, and staff analyses will be pre-loaded. No other browsing will be permitted on
the laptops.
d. In addition to coverage through the press, LIS will live stream the proceedings on ilga.gov.
5) Additional points of information:
a. Access to the Capitol and Stratton Buildings are currently limited to the north doors only.
b. No members of the public are currently permitted in the Capitol and Stratton Building,
unless visiting the district offices on the first floor and escorted by the member or staff.
c. Members will have access to their offices if needed; however, most staff will continue to
work remotely.
d. DPH recommends all meetings, such as committee pre-meetings, caucuses, and
negotiation sessions for bills, should be conducted via phone or video conferencing system
in advance, if possible.
e. Information regarding the operational status of area hotels and restaurants will be
provided.
6) Upon adjournment, DPH recommends social distancing and isolation for at least 7 days post
legislative session.
In spite of the preparations and precautions being taken to protect the health and safety of members,
staff, and the public, all in attendance must remain vigilant. All measures being recommended by
medical experts, such as maintaining 6 ft. of distance from others and frequent hand-washing should
continue to be practiced.