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Together, across racial lines and different backgrounds, we will rise to meet this moment. For any questions please reach out to the Member Resource Center at (877) 233-8880 and check out the below resources.
Updated as of 11/16/20. Keep checking back here as we will add more information as it becomes available.
As of Monday, November 16 Stay-At-Home advisories are in effect in Chicago and Cook County and residents are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible for the next 30 days. No more than 10 people should be gathering either indoors or outdoors.
Beginning in May, Illinois residents will be asked to wear masks in settings where social distancing is not possible (more info here). The order does NOT prohibit essential work or activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Janitors, Security Officers, and Residential Workers are deemed essential.
The governor moved to allow people who have to skip work because they have coronavirus to collect pay, even if their job doesn’t come with paid sick leave. Those who are unemployed due to sickness can collect unemployment insurance, “to the full extent permitted by federal law.”
Chicago Public Schools
CPS schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Many CPS schools will serve as food distribution sites for CPS students. Food pick-up will take place outside of the school building and begins at every school on Tuesday, March 17 and is scheduled from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Monday through Friday. CPS families can pick-up three days worth of meals at time, each with two meals per child. If you need assistance, please call the CPS Command Center at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or email familyservices@cps.edu
Unemployment
To apply for unemployment insurance, visit the Illinois Department of Employment Security website and their FAQ here. The state is working to analyze the impact of the federal stimulus on Illinois – for questions on the package, click here.
Watch the step-by-step video guide for help applying online. For a PDF version of this guide click here.
Additional Resources/Information
ComEd
ComEd is extending the suspension of service disconnections for nonpayment and waving of new late payment fees through at least March 31, 2021.
Customers who may experience financial hardship should visit ComEd.com/CARE or call (800) 334-7661.
COVID-19 Testing
For testing sites in Illinois, click here.
Food
To apply for SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Medicaid, visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
To receive COVID-19 text alerts from Cook County, text AlertCook to 888777
For Southern Illinois Residents
Call the United Way at 1-866-211-9966 and enter your zip code to learn more about assistance with bills, rent and food.
In Madison County, Riders do not have to pay fares to ride ACT buses