Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has formed partnerships with the manufacturing and biotech industries to increase the state’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies to battle the coronavirus.
The partnerships with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) and the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO) have resulted in the procurement of 2.5 million N95 masks, 1 million disposable surgical masks, 11,000 gloves, and 10,000 personal protection kits.
“In the face of the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19, the people of Illinois have stepped up once again: our innovative biotech companies and state-of-the-art manufacturers are teaming up with the State of Illinois to ramp up production of Personal Protective Equipment,” Pritzker said. “We’re not just waiting for in-state production. My administration continues to work day and night to scour the global supply chain. Illinois is acquiring PPE to compensate for what we haven’t received in our federal requests. But we are doing so while running up against obstacles that should not exist.”
Both IMA and iBIO are also organizing medical supply donation programs from their 4000-company and 85,000-employee memberships, respectively. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency will direct donated supplies to the necessary health care and emergency response providers across the state.
To date, IEMA has distributed more than 28,400 N95 masks, 15,500 pairs of gloves, and nearly 6,200 gowns to over a dozen county health departments. Further, the Illinois Department of Public Health has also distributed supplies to 150 hospitals and 62 local health departments across Illinois.
“America is facing extraordinary times that rival some of the greatest challenges in our nation’s history. While the task is daunting, manufacturers stand ready to once again answer our nation’s call, conquering obstacles and leading the way forward,” Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, said. “The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the 592,000 women and men working on factory floors across our state are proud to support Governor JB Pritzker’s efforts to combat and contain this virus, producing life-saving products in desperate need across Illinois.”
Additionally, Pritzker has called for the federal activation of the Defense Production Act to increase the production of essential medical supplies and their distribution to states in need.
So far, Illinois has only received a fraction of what has been requested from the National Strategic Stockpile. The second shipment of supplies from the National Strategic Stockpile will soon be distributed to every public health jurisdiction and hospital in the state.