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COVID-19 Resources

This page was last updated in August of 2020. Esta página fue actualizada por última vez en agosto de 2020.

Para ver esta página en español, presione aquí.

Click here for the Forum's COVID-19 work summary.

Click here for an index of COVID resources curated by the Forum and divided by topic.

Click here for resources organized by the Illinois Latino COVID-19 Initiative (IllinoisUnidos.com).

Click here for a list of Illinois testing sites, including with bilingual support, via ABC 7 Chicago.

Click here for an interactive map of local food banks in the Chicago area via the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Click here for a one-pager fact sheet on the coronavirus from the CDC.

Lo que necesita saber sobre la enfermedad de coronavirus.

Donate Plasma After Recovering from COVID-19

The Fight Is In Us is a national coalition that lets people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 become heroes by donating blood plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. It’s mostly water that also contains antibodies, which keep your body working well and fighting off deadly diseases. Click here to learn more.

View Facebook Live (August 21, 2020) COVID-19 presentation on data and information regarding healthcare accesss and resources:

English presentation
Spanish presentation

Government COVID-19 Resources

Emergency resources for food, shelter, medical, recovery, help at home, and to talk to someone (IDPH)

Interactive map of Illinois testing sites (IDPH)

State of Illinois coronavirus page

City of Chicago coronavirus page

The IDPH COVID-19 text messaging program provides daily texts in Spanish with testing, guidance, and self-care information. Text COVIDESP to 312-500-3836 to get daily messages.

The State of Illinois is providing housing for those who need assistance with self-isolation if they’ve been exposed or diagnosed. Thousands of free hotel rooms are available for residents who may need to move out as a precautionary measure. These hotel rooms offer full wrap-around services including meals and medical assistance and are entirely free for anyone. Residents can access this housing support by contacting their county or city public health departments. Click here for DPH Shelter Resources

IDPH has utilized Illinois Welcoming Centers as hubs for free resources for immigrant communities—everything from emergency funds for food and necessities, to enrollment in SNAP and WIC, to testing location information. ICIRR has worked with welcoming centers to distribute info about these services to a wider audience. For more info on Welcoming Centers, call 1-833-234-6343.

IDHS Office of Welcoming Centers for Immigrant and Refugee Services has launched the COVID-19 Immigrant Family Support Project. IDHS is dedicating $2M in pandemic emergency cash assistance to Illinois immigrants, regardless of status. This project will be implemented in coordination with the Immigration Funder Collaborative (IFC) and ICIRR, who will administer the funds through 60 community-based organizations. Organizations will screen applicants for eligibility.

In order to be eligible for the cash assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a resident of Illinois.
Have experienced an income disruption due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (either a job loss or reduction in hours).
Not be eligible for any federal stimulus, unemployment insurance and/or public benefits.

* Priority will be given to households with income below 200% federal poverty level.

**This assistance will not be considered in the public charge

Those interested in applying should text COVID to 52886 to receive a list of participating organizations and more information for applying or visit www.icirr.org/covidil

If you believe an employer in your area is not following CDC guidelines of safe, sanitary practices in the workplace: The Illinois Attorney General's Workplace Rights Bureau, Illinois Dept. of Labor, and U.S. Dept. of Labor are investigating and enforcing CDC guidelines of non-compliant facilities.

For public employers such as the state or local governments, public works depts, police and fire depts: complaints should be submitted to Illinois OSHA through the Illinois Dept. of Labor.
For private sector employers, such as gas stations, restaurants, manufacturers: Direct complaints to Federal OSHA.
Employees from both public and private can also submit complaints with IL Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau. COMPLAINT FORM

If you witness or experience mask-related discrimination or any form of discrimination, please report the incident to IL Dept. of Human Rits by sending an email to idhr.webmail@illinois.gov.

Donations

Local

The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation's COVID-19 Latino Caucus Solidarity Fund, which distributes cash assistance focusing on mixed-status households.

Erie Neighborhood House Community Relief Fund, which sends 100% of donations directly to Erie House participants hit hardest by the current crisis. Every dollar raised will support Erie House's clients and community in meeting immediate needs like food, child care, transportation, rent, and utilities.

Telpochcalli Community Education Project: Little Village Mutual Aid

GoFundMe for COVID-19 Relief Fund for Street Vendors in Chicago

Chicago Service Relief, a directory of fundraisers for Chicago bars, venues, restaurants, and other service-based businesses that can use help to support their staff during the state-mandated shutdown.

Emergency Relief Fund for Gads Hill, which sends 100% of funds raised to help vulnerable families meet their basic needs such as groceries, rent, utilities, and medicine.

National

GoFundMe page supporting undocumented families during COVID-19

The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund, which immediately directs money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community

The One Fair Wage Emergency Fund, which gives cash assistance to tipped restaurant workers, delivery drivers, personal service workers, and others affected by coronavirus and the economic downturn.