What is coronavirus (COVID-19)?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), coronaviruses commonly cause mild to moderate illness in people worldwide. While that sounds normal, COVID-19 has proven to spread widely and have high potential to cause serious, life-threatening illness to the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. Coronavirus symptoms may include fever, cough and shortness of breath. There are no specific treatments for coronavirus, but to relieve symptoms, patients are instructed to take pain and fever medications, drink plenty of liquids, and stay home and rest.

How does coronavirus spread?

According to the CDC, coronavirus mainly spreads from person to person. Act the same way you would act if you had the flu— if you think you may be sick, keep your distance from other people and always cover your coughs and sneezes.

Do I need to wear a mask? 

It is not recommended to wear a face mask if you are well. Face masks should be reserved for those showing symptoms of COVID-19 and for health care workers.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19? 

At this time, there is no available vaccine for COVID-19. The best way to prevent getting infected is to not be exposed.

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The State Fire Marshal annual Fire Prevention and Life Safety Award is to recognize extraordinary efforts in furtherance of fire prevention and life safety performed by fire departments, firefighters and staff from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Nominations for this award shall be made using a nomination form provided by the Office at the link below. Anyone may submit a nomination and previous nominees who were not awarded can be nominated again. A committee consisting of staff from the Office will review nominations and will select a recipient from each nomination category. Recipients will be presented the award during the Fire Fighting Medal of Honor ceremony in Springfield, Illinois on May 12, 2020.

A copy of the nomination form is available on our website by clicking on the link below:
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/SFMDocuments/Documents/NominatIonForm.pdf

Nominations can be submitted to:
Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal
Attn: Robin Sudduth
1035 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Storage Tank Safety Specialist - Cook or DuPage County
Expires: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 4:30 PM Central Time

Description of Duties / Essential Functions
Under direction of the Statewide Administrator for the Division of Petroleum and Chemical Safety, performs professional investigations, inspections, surveillances and mitigations and all aspects of storage for petroleum related products and hazardous materials. Utilizes electronic testing equipment, takes samples and compares permit and design standards to field installation of facility for the storage and use of regulated materials. Assist higher level professional and management staff in making decisions regarding permits, variances, and legal enforcement of regulations. Serves as a resource person to staff and the public.

Minimum Requirements
Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college with course work in engineering, physical, or life sciences. Technical experience in petroleum handling and safety, pollution abatement, or a related field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. Requires two years experience in emergency and safety procedures for the mitigation of and stabilization of hazardous situations, or incidents involving fire, explosion, or environmental release. Requires valid driver's license and ability to travel.

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO LIVE IN COOK OR DUPAGE COUNTY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HIRE, NO EXCEPTIONS.

You can also find the links for employment opportunities with our office here:
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/About/Pages/Employment-Opportunities.aspx

Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) announced today it will be providing an opportunity for traditionally underrepresented minority-owned businesses in the IT/Telecom industry to become vendors for the state. The department will issue a Project/Resource Sheltered Market (PRSM) solicitation in the coming weeks. The PRSM program offers minority, women and persons with disabilities owned businesses in the IT/Telecom industry the opportunity to bid on State projects, with the goal of increasing supplier diversity in Illinois. Businesses interested in responding to the solicitation must be Business Enterprise Program (BEP) certified in order to participate.

“Under the leadership of Governor Pritzker, we are making reforms to ensure minority, women-owned, and persons with disabilities can compete for and win State contracts,” said Janel L. Forde, Acting Director of Illinois Department of Central Management Services and Chairwoman of the Business Enterprise Council. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment towards inclusion and provides BEP firms an opportunity in the IT/Telecom industry.” 

The upcoming PRSM will be the third solicitation developed in response to the Sheltered Market Report conducted by the Business Enterprise Council in 2013. The report found significant disparities in the State of Illinois’ contracting with minority and women business enterprises in the IT/Telecom industry. Participation in sheltered market solicitations is limited to entities certified by the Illinois Department of Central Management’s (CMS) BEP program.

“PRSM will supplement our current state technology resources by providing short-term and specific skill sets from a diverse group of suppliers,” said Ron Guerrier, Illinois CIO and Acting Secretary for DoIT. “This initiative offers businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities the ability to grow their business and will provide them with opportunities to become prime contractors.”

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