Responding to media questions, Gov. JB Pritzker indicated Tuesday his administration is “working hard on changes” to the state’s sweeping stay-at-home order that ends at the conclusion of April, but cautioned that changes don’t mean it will wholesale end.

“I don’t think there’s going to be some massive opening of lots and lots of businesses come May 1,” Pritzker said.

The governor was responding to questions that his administration now projects the peak for COVID-19 infections won’t come until mid-May.

IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported 1,551 new confirmed cases of COVID 19, bringing the state's total to 33,059 cases, and 119 additional deaths, bringing the state's total death toll to 1,468.

She said studies of those who have recovered from COVID-19 in Illinois have found that 54% of cases that were reported less than two weeks ago now report no longer having symptoms, and of those reported four weeks ago, 77% are reporting having fully recovered.

At the same time, she reported 55% of the state’s ICU beds that are being used, are being used by COVID-19 patients.

The governor was asked about state prison guards being deployed from facilities in Jacksonville and Canton to assist at Stateville. There was a specific question about guards at the Illinois River Correctional Facility in Canton being offered paid time off and a COVID test if they agreed to work at Stateville. Pritzker said that was the subject of labor negotiations and he could not comment.

Gov. Pritzker announced two major economic initiatives to assist Illinoisans today: The formation of a private student loan relief program, and news that attempts to expand SNAP benefits have been enacted.

While the federal CARES Act features student loan relief, it does not apply to private loans. Pritzker said similar forbearance will be available to borrowers from participating private loan lenders, including Navient. Borrowers can ask for a 90 day forbearance on things like negative credit reporting, late fees, and debt collection. The program is available now, and borrowers should inquire about it through their lender or via IDFPR's Division of Banking, the Illinois Attorney General's Office, or the U.S. Consumer Protection Bureau.

The governor also reported $112 million in additional SNAP benefits to families with school-age children across state, with distribution having begun yesterday. He said households with children on free and reduced school lunches who aren't currently on SNAP will be able to submit a simplified SNAP application, with details to be announced in the coming days.