Mayor Declares State of Emergency Due to COVID-19

Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach declared a Local State of Emergency in the city, effective today and extending through 5pm, Tuesday, March 24. The action is related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The action came at what was termed an Emergency Special meeting of the Effingham City Council. The emergency meeting was not called until just before 3:30pm Tuesday.

Just ahead of the declaration, the City Council voted to approve an ordinance pertaining to the issuance of a State of Emergency.

The Local State of Emergency grants the Mayor the ability to act on measures without Council approval.

Schutzbach has the authority to renew the State of Emergency for an additional seven days.

Effingham County Board Jim Niemann Monday proclaimed a Disaster Declaration for the county that was effective for seven days, but was extended by a vote of the Effingham County Board until the Board's next regular meeting on April 20. The measure grants Nieman similar authority, and followed a Disaster Declaration proclaimed by Cumberland County Board Chairman Roy Clapp on Sunday following a positive COVID-19 test involving a Cumberland County resident.

City Administrator Steve Miller said there've been ongoing meetings involving City, County and Illinois Department of Public Health officials in hopes of having a coordinated response to the virus.