Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his staff members will be working from home after a senior staffer tested positive for COVID-19.
The senior staff member was asymptomatic and tested positive late last week. They were in close contact with Pritzker and other employees, the governor’s office said Monday morning.
Pritzker and all other staff reporting to the office tested negative. Pritzker was tested again early on Sunday and tested negative.
Approximately 20 staff members have been regularly reporting to work at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago during the coronavirus crisis while the remainder of the governor’s office staff worked from home.
“The Governor’s Office employees will follow Illinois Department of Public Health guidance and work from home for an appropriate isolation period,” Pritzker’s office said.
Staff members have followed all Illinois Department of Public Health safety protocols like daily temperature checks, wearing face coverings, social distancing and strict hygiene procedures.
The governor’s office will undergo deep cleaning and staff are monitoring themselves for symptoms. Pritzker and his staff will return to the office when the Illinois Department of Public Health deems appropriate.
The governor will continue to hold daily press briefings via video conference which will be live streamed on social media and the state’s website.