Please read below a joint statement from the Illinois Landscape Contractors Assocation, the Illinois Green Industry Assocation, and the Illinois Arborist Association regarding green industry work during the “Stay-at-Home” Executive Order issued on March 20, 2020.
Local government officials:
Due to the high visibility of landscape contractors in your communities, our three organizations felt it would be wise to provide guidance to municipal government officials on landscape industry businesses during the “Stay-at-Home” Executive Order issued on March 20, 2020. We feel the more information municipalities have will improve communication with your communities and service providers. This will help answer resident questions if they arise.
The landscape industry requested additional information from the Governor’s office about whether lawn, landscape, and tree services were essential services under Section 12, Paragraph H of the Executive Order that reads:
Critical trades. Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, moving and relocation services, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations;
Although landscaping is not mentioned by name, landscape services were verified as essential by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Activity on March 23, 2020. They released an FAQ document on essential businesses that reads:
Can residential and commercial lawn service remain open?
Yes. Many landscape projects will fit under an exemption such as construction, agriculture, or public works. Outdoor landscape projects generally will provide for good social distancing that poses little risk of transmission, but it still is important to ensure the ability to wash or sanitize hands and take other precautions.
The FAQ document is included here: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Documents/Essential%20Business%20Checklist3-22.pdf
This would include essential services for the following trades: landscape contractors (construction and maintenance), lawn care, irrigation, and tree care.
Additional information on green industry businesses: These fall under Section 12, Paragraphs A & B of the Executive Order
Garden Centers – These establishments sell materials for customers to produce fruits and vegetables at their residences, sell firewood, pet supplies, and other household essentials. They are adapting business policies and procedures to protect employees and customers, in alignment with CDC guidelines, while serving the needs of the community.
Nurseries, Growers, Greenhouses – These businesses fall under agricultural production and are listed as essential businesses under the EO.
Please share this information with your communities so they better understand what landscape and agricultural businesses are able to operate under the terms of the Executive Order set to expire on April 7th.
Regards,
Scott Grams
Executive Director
Illinois Landscape Contractors Association sgrams@ilca.net
