Executive Order Number 14-11

Executive Order Number 14-11 (PDF, 226 KB)

EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING AN EBOLA VIRUS TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, protecting the health and safety of all people in the State of Illinois is a fundamental responsibility of government and a core priority of this Administration; and

WHEREAS, the Ebola virus is currently affecting several countries in western Africa and has now appeared in isolated cases within the United States; and

WHEREAS, the centralized coordination and communication among various entities at the State, in partnership with stakeholders representing key sectors in healthcare and emergency response, is essential to strengthen the State’s ability to respond to the challenges presented by the Ebola virus; and

WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) has as its core mission the prevention of disease, and has already established a working partnership among public and private stakeholders from all disciplines and regions of the State in order to facilitate the coordination of resources and the communication of information essential to preventing additional cases of the Ebola virus; and

WHEREAS, IDPH has established a 24-hour Ebola Hotline call center at the Illinois Poison Center; and

WHEREAS, IDPH has created a dedicated website with public information regarding the Ebola virus, and has committed to providing information to the public in the event of any verified case of infection of the Ebola virus; and

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, pursuant to the executive authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, hereby order as follows:

1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ILLINOIS EBOLA VIRUS TASK FORCE
   
   1. There is hereby established the Illinois Ebola Virus Task Force (“Task Force”) as an advisory body, reporting directly to the Governor.
      
   2. The Director of IDPH and the Deputy Governor shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Task Force.
      
   3. The Task Force shall consist of up to twenty-three (23) voting members, including the following:
      
      1. Deputy Governor;
         
      2. Director of IDPH;
         
      3. One representative from IDPH, appointed by the Director;
         
      4. One representative from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, appointed by the Director;
         
      5. One representative from the Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal, appointed by the Fire Marshal;
         
      6. One representative from the Illinois State Board of Education, appointed by the Superintendent;
         
      7. One representative from the Illinois State Police, appointed by the Director;
         
      8. One representative from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, appointed by the Director.
         
      9. Up to fifteen (15) members, recommended by the Director of IDPH and appointed by the Governor. Such members may include, but are not limited to, state, Cook County, and City of Chicago representatives, representatives of hospitals, nurses, doctors, and other medical providers, and other local, regional, and state partners. All members shall serve at the discretion of the Governor.
         
   4. The Task Force Co-Chairs shall have the authority and discretion to create subcommittees. At the Co-Chairs’ discretion, the Task Force Co-Chairs may designate and allow the participation of non-Task Force members to participate in, and be voting members of, any subcommittees.
      
   5. Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation, but may receive travel reimbursement from IDPH as permitted by applicable State or federal guidelines.
      
   6. IDPH shall provide administrative support for the Task Force, including but not limited to, providing an Ethics Officer to the Task Force, responding to FOIA requests on behalf of the Task Force, and assisting the Task Force in complying with the requirements of the Open Meetings Act.
      
2. DUTIES
   
   1. The Task Force shall conduct a comprehensive examination of and make recommendations regarding the State’s public health regulatory powers and communicable disease authorities, including, but not limited to, a review of all applicable statutes and administrative regulations.
      
   2. The Task Force shall develop strategies to address any potential gaps in the State’s public health regulatory authorities and ability to respond to infectious or communicable disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
      
   3. The Task Force shall make recommendations to assist in the development of agency, regulatory, and legislative changes to improve the State’s ability to respond to infectious or communicable disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
      
   4. The Task Force shall assess supply availability and resource allocation, including personal protective equipment and medical supplies for health care providers and first responders.
      
   5. The Task Force shall consider and recommend guidance for public and private employers relative to employees exposed or potentially exposed to the Ebola virus.
      
   6. The Task Force shall consider issues specific to diverse populations, including, but not limited to, the dissemination of educational materials for these populations.
      
   7. The Task Force shall develop policies and make recommendations to the Director of IDPH and the Office of the Governor relating to the facilitation of communication and information sharing, coordination of public messages, designation of treatment centers, and assessing sector readiness and response, as needed.
      
   8. The Task Force shall share all recommendations and findings with IDPH and the Office of the Governor.
      
   9. The Task Force shall seek input, as appropriate, from federal agencies, including but not limited to: the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
      
3. TERM
   

   The Task Force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2015, subject to renewal by a succeeding Executive Order from the Governor.

4. TRANSPARENCY
   

   In addition to any other applicable laws, rules, or regulations, all aspects of the Task Force shall be governed by the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1, et seq.) and the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1, et seq). This section shall not be construed so as to preclude other statutes from applying to the Task Force or its activities.

5. SAVINGS CLAUSE
   

   Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any state or federal law. Nothing in this Executive Order shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.

6. SEVERABILITY
   

   If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be severable.

7. EFFECTIVE DATE
   

   This Executive Order shall be in full force and effect upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

Pat Quinn
Governor of Illinois

Issued by the Governor:
Filed with the Secretary of State: