COVID-19 Resources/Guide

25th Ward Office

(This is a living document that is updated daily. Full translations into Spanish/Chinese coming soon. Spanish resources below. General info in 57 languages here. Send edits/inquiries to diego.morales@cityofchicago.org)

← Use outline for easy navigation

Table of Contents

COVID-19 Information
City Services/Suspension Updates
Hotlines
City/State Financial Resources
Other Financial Resources
Housing Resources
Healthcare Resources
Food Assistance
Employment
Legal Aid
Immigration
Education

Parents & Caregivers
Students
Educators

Recursos en Español
Volunteer Opportunities
25th Ward

Healthcare
Education
Housing
Immigration
Food

Collected Graphics

Health Guidelines
City Guidelines/Updates/Resources
Shelter in Place
Español

COVID-19 Information

STAY HOME AND CALL (866) 600-2273 IF YOU ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS

Fever

Cough

Sore Throat

Difficulty Breathing

DO NOT WALK INTO A HOSPITAL OR CLINIC WITHOUT CALLING AHEAD FIRST

See below: contact information for local clinics

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ISSUING “SHELTER-IN-PLACE” ORDER

Through April 30th

***Click here for Frequently Asked Questions***

USCIS: UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS ARE *NOT* RESTRICTED FROM TESTING, SCREENING, & TREATMENT

City of Chicago Updates

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html

“Ask Dr. Arwady” Daily Q&A with Health Commissioner Arwady starting 11am

Send questions via Facebook stream, Twitter #AskDrArwady

Illinois Updates (Including map of positive COVID-19 cases)

https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx

Global Pandemic Tracking Map

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Center for Disease Control Guidelines

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Shelter in Place Order

To reduce the impact of the virus, the state has closed down non-essential services and instructed residents to stay home, minimize exposure to others, and to maintain a distance of 6 feet when around other people. The following activities are still permitted for leaving the home during this time:

Seeking health services
Obtaining necessary supplies, such as food, household products, work items, & sanitation equipment
Outdoor activity, such as walking, running, hiking, or biking
Essential service work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is closed?

City Hall
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Libraries
Chicago Park Facilities (Playgrounds and fieldhouse. Green space is still open to the public.)
Circuit Court of Cook County
Dine-in restaurants
Bars and nightclubs
Entertainment venues
Gyms and fitness studios
Hair and nail salons
Movie theaters, bowling alleys, concert and music halls
Museums
Country clubs and social clubs

What is open?

Emergency City service
Hospitals, healthcare and public health operations
Grocery stores, pharmacies, corner stores, and all other stores that sell groceries and medicine
Laundry services
Restaurants for consumption off-premises
Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation, including bike shops
Transportation, for purposes of Essential Travel
Financial institutions
Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order
Hardware and supply stores
Food, beverage and cannabis production and agriculture
Organizations that provide charitable and social services
Media
Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery and pick-up services
Educational institutions for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions
Home-based care and services
Residential facilities and shelters
Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries
Critical labor union functions
Hotels and motels to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carry-out food services
Funeral services

What are Essential Services?

Essential Infrastructure: Working in food production, distribution and sale; construction; building management and maintenance; airport operations; operation and maintenance of utilities, including water, sewer, and gas; electrical; distribution centers; oil and biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet, video, and telecommunications systems
Critical trades, including: plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers that maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations

City Service Suspensions/Updates

Moratoriums/Postponements

Eviction: All State, County, and local law enforcement shall not enforce residential evictions while the shelter-in-place order is active. If the court has already ordered that a tenant should be evicted, the sheriff will not take action to put the tenant out until April 13th at the earliest. All scheduled court dates in eviction cases will be rescheduled and continued for 30 days unless both parties agree that there is an emergency that requires the court’s immediate attention. If a building is in foreclosure, there is a moratorium on entering and executing final judgments in foreclosure cases. This moratorium means that the existing landlord will not lose the building for at least 30 days, and tenants should continue to pay rent if demanded.
Utilities: Illinois utilities, including electric, gas, & water, have agreed to suspend shutoffs and new late fees until May 1st. Includes ComEd (through June 1st) and People’s Gas, except in the case of safety concerns.
Vehicle Violations: Chicago will stop ticketing, booting and towing illegally parked vehicles except for public safety reasons until May 1st
Late Fees & Default
Cook County Treasurer: Delinquent property tax sales set for May 8 will be delayed
Income Tax Deadlines postponed until July 15th

Closures

Chicago Public Schools: Suspended for the rest of the school year
Chicago Park Facilities: Field houses & playgrounds closed. Green spaces & trails remain open to the public.
Chicago Public Libraries: Closed.
City Hall & City Facilities: Closed to the public.
Circuit Court of Cook County: Most cases and hearings delayed until April 15th

Essential Services: These city services remain fully operational

Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, 911, 311 Call Center, Public Health, Sanitation, Water, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Airports.

Hotlines

Illinois Senior Help Hotline: (800) 252-8966
Illinois Coronavirus Helpline: (800) 889-3931
Chicago Public Schools: (773) 553-5437
Chicago Department of Public Health: (312) 746-4835
Legal Aid Hotline: (312) 738-9200
ICIRR Family Services: (855) 435-7693

Immigrant Services

Cook County Department of Public Health: (708) 633-3319

Text “AlertCook” to 888-777 for text alerts

Cook County Benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.): (773) 843-5416
Great Chicago Food Depository Benefits Hotline: (773) 843-5416
24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (312) 738-5358
Rape Crisis Hotline: (888) 293-2080

City/State Financial Resources

Individual/Families

As of March 17, 2020 tax payments up to $1 million for individuals can be deferred for 90 days. This will also apply to pass-through business income on their individual return.
COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits - IDES 1-800-244-5631

DACA recipients qualify
Required:

Drivers license or state ID
Current residential and mailing address
Social security number
Last dates of employment
Number of days worked during the last employment period
Number of weeks earning $484 or more during last employment period

Emergency Rental Assistance

Provides:

Payment of rent arrears to prevent eviction
Payment of rent

Department of Housing Covid-19 Assistance Grant

$1,000 grant to individuals and families who’ve lost income due to pandemic
To qualify:

Pre-pandemic income was at or below 60% of Area Median Income

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 1-800-843-6154

To qualify:

Be pregnant or have a child under age 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student. A pregnant woman (and her husband, if he lives with her) may qualify for help, even if they don't have any other children.
Live in Illinois. You can be homeless and still qualify.
Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (217) 782-2166

Office Locator
To qualify:

Pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
Families with a low to medium income

Provides:

Special checks to buy healthy foods - like milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans or peas, and peanut butter
Help in finding health care and other services in your area

Illinois Department of Human Services: Cash and Food Assistance for Non-Citizen Victims

To qualify:

Victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes
Applicants of “T”, “U”, or Asylum status
Derivative family member of victim: Spouse, child, parent, or sibling under age 18

Illinois Financial Hardship Tax Relief

Tax abatement for 90 days

Senior Benefits Check-Up

Benefits compiled for individuals, including Health, Food, Transportation, Medication, Income Assistance, Housing, Education, & Employment

Illinois Attorney General - File A Complaint (217) 782-1090

Report Price Gouging
Also report to 311

Small Businesses

The following taxes will be deferred until May 1st:

Bottled Water Tax
Checkout bag tax
Amusement tax
Hotel Accommodation tax
Restaurant Tax
Parking Tax

Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund

To be eligible:

Attest to a more than 25% revenue decrease due to COVID-19
Employ fewer than 50 employees and have gross revenues of less than $3 million in 2019
Provide a City business address or City business license
No pre-existing tax liens or legal judgments

Must provide:

Bank statements dating back to October 2019
Your most recent tax return
Photo ID (CityKey will be accepted)

Small Business Association (SBA) Disaster Loan Relief 1-800-659-2955

Up to $2 million towards capital such as payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments
3.75% for small businesses, 2.75% for non-profits

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity COVID-19 Impact Survey
ESDC is available to assist via phone call or zoom with applications and available programs (312) 733-2287 Ext 1

Other Financial Resources

For workers, restaurants, and non-profits

Opportunity Fund

Micro-loans for small businesses

Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund

Non-profit grant application interest form

James Beard Foundation Food & Beverage Industry Relief Fund

For businesses

Credit Card Assistance

American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover, Fifth Third Bank, Apple Card, Synchrony, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo.

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Emergency Fund

For currently enrolled students

Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Emergency Fund

For currently enrolled students

Joust

For freelance businesses

Undocuscholars Emergency Fund

For the undocumented

Transformative Spaces: COVID-19 Hardship & Help Page
For Artists:

Artists of Color Emergency Grant
Artist Relief Tree
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Foundation for Contemporary Art Relief Fund
The HART Fund (Blues Players)
Gottlieb Foundation (Printmakers, Painters, & Sculptors)
Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund
Musicares
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
I Lost My Theater Gigs
Season Of Concern (Theater)
Lawyers For The Creative Arts Brief Service Center
Equal Sound: Corona Relief Fund

Requires W-9

Housing Resources

Department of Housing Covid-19 Assistance Grant

$1,000 grant to individuals and families who’ve lost income due to pandemic
To qualify:

Pre-pandemic income was at or below 60% of Area Median Income

Emergency Rental Assistance

Provides:

Payment of rent arrears to prevent eviction
Payment of rent

Offers filtered Search

Homeless Youth Provider List
Discounted hotel rates for displaced students:

$59-a-night at Hotel Essex 312-939-2800
$99-a-night at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel 312-565-5258

Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) 773-292-4988

Tenants Rights

Lawyers Committee for Better Housing (LCBH) (312) 347-7600

Legal Aid

U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage for college students

Healthcare Resources

STAY HOME AND CONSULT A DOCTOR IF YOU ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS

Fever

Cough

Sore Throat

Difficulty Breathing

DO NOT WALK INTO A HOSPITAL OR CLINIC WITHOUT CALLING AHEAD FIRST

Chicago Department of Public Health

Hotline: 312-746-7425

Please self-report if you believe you have been exposed and are showing symptoms

RUSH Hospital COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool

(888) 352-7874 for COVID-19 related questions
Set up a video appointment

Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics

Illinois Department of Human Services: Medical Benefits for Non-Citizen Victims

To qualify:

Ineligible for other medical benefits
Victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crime
Applicant for “T”, “U”, or Asylum status
Monthly income at or below federal poverty level

(312) 744-4016
PACE Special Service para-transit & Regional Transit Authority

Senior Benefits Check-Up

Benefits compiled for individuals, including Health, Food, Transportation, Medication, Income Assistance, Housing, Education, & Employment

Joann: How to make a face-mask

Donated masks will go directly to medical professionals

Food Assistance

Chicago Public Schools are open Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm, to provide meals to parents (breakfast and lunch). They will receive 3 days of meals for each young person in the household. 1-773-553-KIDS or email at familyservices@cps.edu to make a request for food delivery.

This list of charter schools are also participating

Meals On Wheels

For seniors: (312)744-4016
For individuals with disabilities: (312)744-6673

To qualify:

Pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
Families with a low to medium income

SNAP (Formerly Food Stamps)

SNAP Eligibility Calculator

Illinois Department of Human Services: Cash and Food Assistance for Non-Citizen Victims

To qualify:

Victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes
Applicants of “T”, “U”, or Asylum status
Derivative family member of victim: Spouse, child, parent, or sibling under age 18

City-wide Farmers’ Markets

Includes delivery options

Sweet Green Outpost

Delivery to hospital workers

My Block, My Hood, My City

Senior care packages including sanitizer, toiletries, food, & health supplements

Forty Acres Fresh Market

Produce delivery. Accepts SNAP

Senior Services Plus 618-465-3298

Curbside Pickup

Employment

Legal Aid

Illinois Legal Aid
Legal Aid Chicago (312) 341-1070
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) (855) 435-7693
National Immigrant Justice Center (312) 660-1370
The Resurrection Project (312) 666-3062
Lawyers Committee for Better Housing (312) 347-7600
Lawyers For The Creative Arts (312) 649-4111
Legal Aid Hotline (312) 738-9200

Housing

Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (312) 630-9744

For Small Business and Non-Profits

Immigration

The Resurrection Project (312) 666-3062

DACA Renewals
Deportation Defense
Call to set up consultation

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (312) 332-7360

Citizenship
DACA
Deportation Defense

National Immigrant Justice Center (312) 660-1370

Citizenship
DACA
Deportation Defense

Centro Sin Fronteras (773) 847-7282

DACA

Education

For Parents & Caregivers

Chicago Public Schools are open Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm, to provide meals to parents (breakfast and lunch). They will receive 3 days of meals for each young person in the household. 1-773-553-KIDS or email at familyservices@cps.edu to make a request for food delivery.