COVID-19 Information and Resources for Illinois
The Illinois Department of Public Health has a statewide COVID-19 hotline and website to answer any
questions from the public or to report a suspected case: call 1-800-889-3931 or dph.sick@Illinois.gov visit
IDPH.illinois.gov
General City Information
✓ Chicago Department of Public Health at (312) 746-4835
✓ State of Illinois Corona Virus Response
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx
✓ Multilingual resources of COVID-19:
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✓ CDPH Commissioner live daily briefing:
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.pscp.tv/w/1mnGeQnaElqGX&sa=D&ust=158464849
9649000&usg=AFQjCNEC3qsO65AUuxmopbh5pcu7GEtaAQ
✓ City of Chicago site with Info & Resources:
✓ General Information & symptoms:
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
nCoV/index.html&sa=D&ust=1584648499630000&usg=AFQjCNEpqzYWm7nMLgsRxNJ6KP_Po4FL
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Food
Grocery Delivery Services & Apps
✓ Currently Instacart (www.instacart.com) and Peapod (www.peapod.com) will continue to
schedule deliveries. Please log into or download the respective apps for updates
✓ Shopping Angels
o Student run service app that delivers groceries to senior citizens during COVID-19
pandemic
o https://wgntv.com/news/this-student-created-a-network-of-shopping-angels-to-help-
the-elderly-get-groceries-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Food for all
✓ For the closest food pantry/bank to you, visit: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/
✓ With a few exceptions, The Greater Chicago Food Depository and their network of 700 partner
agencies and programs remains open. They recommend calling before you go to confirm program
hours and requirements (773) 247-3663.
✓ Western Suburban Community Pantry, visit: https://wscpantry.org/
o Mobile food pantry serving the following areas
â–ª WIllowbrook
â–ª Bolingbrook
â–ª Romeoville
✓ Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry for Aurora, IL residents
o (630) 897-5431
o http://mariewilkinsonfoodpantry.org/
✓ DuPage County Food Pantry
o https://www.dupageco.org/FoodPantries/
o (630) 407-6500
✓ Lake Country Food Bank, Pantry and Soup Kitchen directory:
o https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/countyfb.cgi?county=Lake-
County&state=IL
✓ Tinley Park Food Pantry
o 6875 173rd PL 60477
o (708) 614-7739
o Serves Tinley Park and Orland Hills
Children and Youth (0-17)
✓ Chicago Public Schools Families can pick up free food boxes at any CPS school. Boxes contain
three days’ worth of breakfast and lunch for every student in the household. Food-pick up is held
outdoors. If you need assistance: call 773-553-KIDS (5437) or email familyservices@cps.edu.
More Food Pantries
✓ Catholic Charities Daybreak Center in Joliet
o 611 E Cass St, Joliet
o Shepherd’s Table – Free bagged lunches to pick up outside the door
✓ Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet Mobile Food Pantries
o 3-20-20: St. Joseph Parish, 211 N. Center Ave., Bradley 10–11:30am
o 3-26-20: St. Mary Immaculate, 16529 IL Rte. 59, Plainfield 5–6:30pm
o 3-27-20: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 205 E. Jackson St., Joliet 10-11:30am
o More are being planned. Check out website or social media
https://catholiccharitiesjoliet.org/
✓ Northern Illinois Food Pantry
o https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/mobile-pantry-calendar/
Chicago Area
✓ Greater Chicago Food Depository https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/coronavirus-updates/
✓ Lakeview Pantry https://www.lakeviewpantry.org/lakeview-pantrys-response-to-coronavirus/
✓ Catholic Charities Chicago Casa Catalina at 47th and Ashland
o Hosting a food pantry on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
o First-come, first-served.
✓ In Cook County https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-
food/?fwp_location_proximity=41.8003921%2C-
87.603826%2C2%2CChicago%252C%2520IL%252060615%252C%2520USA
Other Helpful Links
✓ Outside of Cook County https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
✓ https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/mobile-pantry-calendar/
✓ https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/meals-on-the-move/
✓ https://www.bsd2.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=51&ModuleInstanceID=96&Vie
wID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=10552&PageID=100
Some Chicago area stores will be implementing select service hours dedicated to minimizing crowds to
allow them priority. More information here: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-area-
grocery-stores-offer-hours-for-seniors-to-shop-without-crowds/2238830/
Elderly (65+)
✓ Meals on Wheels
o Northeastern Illinois https://mealsonwheelsnei.org/
o Chicago https://www.mealsonwheelschicago.org/
✓ Form My Block, Senior Viral Response https://www.formyblock.org/
o Delivers food and sanitary supplies to seniors
✓ Home Delivered Meals
o Delivers meals for homebound older persons (60 or older)
o https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/senior/svcs/home-delivered-
meals.html
Employment
**Unemployment benefits are available to those whose hours have been reduced or who have lost their
job due to coronavirus (COVID-19) measures. Individuals who must stay home because of a government-
recommended quarantine are eligible for unemployment benefits. Those who have a COVID-19 diagnosis
or must stay at home with someone with a COVID-19 diagnosis are also eligible. To file for
unemployment on line visit:
https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/individuals/UnemploymentInsurance/Pages/default.aspx
Know Your Responsibilities and Ask for Help.
✓ If you have questions, please visit an IDES office or call (800) 244-5631
✓ YWCA Metro Chicago
o The Workforce Team will be also available to link you to employment opportunities.
Please contact us at jobs@ywcachicago.org
Other Programs
✓ Bartender Emergency Assistance Program for those affected by COVID-19
o https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap
Services
Childcare
For Childcare Providers:
✓ For Chicago Early Learning Centers operating in a Chicago Public School setting are suspended for
two weeks starting 3/16/2020. The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) said
that funding will remain available for all early learning and childcare agencies while their
operations are temporarily interrupted
✓ YWCA Metro Chicago
o Childcare assistance available https://ywcachicago.org/
Education
✓ Internet Access: Free access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi for 60 Days For New K-12 and
College Student Households
o https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
✓ Books: Free access to L’il Libros worksheets for kids
o https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rrKxiFGIB/
✓ PBS: Starting Monday, March 16, students in Pre-K through 12th grade will have the opportunity
to access free, educational PBS daytime programming designated for each grade level weekdays
o https://www.pbssocal.org/pbs-news/at-home-learning/
✓ Math programs: MIND Research Institute is offering no cost access to a free math instructional
program for students in grades K-8
o https://www.stmath.com/coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2Z9kqIE7kBcVq7YdAEYuvWQEW2quT
vZ6m9KS_zMeyeiT9wHYcwgpmeRv0
✓ Books and online learning experiences: Scholastic offers free, online learning experiences for kids
of all ages.
o https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Other Online Educational Resources
✓ https://www.acesconnection.com/blog/resources-for-supporting-youth-and-family-mental-
health-while-at-home-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
✓ https://www.sased.org/parent-covid-19-resources
✓ https://www.stemfinity.com/Free-STEM-Education-Resources
✓ DuPage County schools are offering some services. Details in https://www.sased.org/parent-
covid-19-resources
Community Resources & Sharing
The Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help page was created by community organizers to offer a simple
way for people in the Chicago area to ask others for assistance. Details at:
✓ https://transformativespaces.org/2020/03/15/chicago-covid-19-hardship-and-help-
page/?fbclid=IwAR1GCkqiGQfbsUO0c5Imh1EhKjzr9COE3y1hlpIMR1sovzll1vhNzsj8PSM
Housing
Rental Assistance
✓ The rental assistance program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents, directly related
to the prevention of homelessness, to eligible individuals and families. For more information
visit:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/how_to_find_rentalassistanceinchi
cago.html?fbclid=IwAR0rV8hA_djZ0x8YR2W_Q0Cjy6W8zYbb3qxLL2esVlOMhYlgh6ECnISIV94
o Chicago residents can apply at one of the 6 Community Service Centers locations:
o Englewood Center, 1140 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620, 312-747-0200
o Garfield Center, 10 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-746-5400
o King Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653, 312-747-2300
o North Area, 845 W. Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640, 312- 744-2580
o South Chicago, 8650 S. Commercial Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617, 312-747-0500
o Trina Davila, 4312 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639, 312-744-2014
Utilities
✓ Nicor Gas provides energy assistance and resources
o https://www.nicorgas.com/company/press-room/nicor-gas-provides-energy-assistance-
resources.html
✓ T-Mobile
o https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response
✓ Verizon
o https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/
✓ People’s Gas
o https://www.peoplesgas.com/updates/
✓ ComEd
o https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus
✓ Wireless companies have pledged unlimited data and access to hotspots. For more information
visit: https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/News/wireless-carriers-offer-unlimited-data-plus-
hotspot-during-coronavirus-outbreak
Family Services
✓ Catholic Charities of Chicago (312) 655-7700
o Food pantries and social services have not been interrupted
o Counseling and case management are being held remotely
o For more information visit: http://www.catholiccharities.net/GetHelp.aspx
o Home care services for the elderly and disabled have not been suspended
✓ Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet
o Immigrant Support Program
â–ª Serves DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kendall counties
â–ª (Very) limited financial assistance for basic needs and for immigration fees that
go to US Dept. of Homeland Security (DACA renewal, naturalization, green card,
etc.)
â–ª Provides referrals and education for other services and information about
immigration
â–ª Contact Laura Bohorquez, lbohorquez@cc-doj.org, 630-519-6533
✓ Catholic Charities of Lake Country
o (847) 782-4000
Health.
✓ Chicago Department of Public Health https://www.chicagohan.org/covid-19
o Health Alert Network
â–ª Offers up to date alerts regarding outpatient healthcare facilities and hospitals
treating COVID-19 patients
â–ª Other healthcare resources and updates
✓ Access DuPage
o Connects low income and uninsured DuPage County Residents to affordable health services.
To be eligible for Access DuPage, you must:
o Be a permanent DuPage County resident for at least 60 days (this means that you live or
intend to live in DuPage County year-round)
o Be over the age of 19
o Have a household income at or below 200% of the current federal poverty guidelines
o Not be eligible for health care programs such as (Medicaid, Medicare, employer-sponsored
insurance, student health services, COBRA, SSI, Family Care, Veterans Benefits, etc.)
â–ª The Health Department is the only place that is currently (as of 3/18/20)
accepting applications, and they are being done over the phone. Call 630-
682-7400 to set up an application appointment. The organization is working
to provide orientations online. We are also extending the cards of those who
were set to expire in March/April (may be extended depending on this
situation)
✓ DuPage Dispensary of Hope https://accessdupage.org/dispensary-of-hope/
o Offers qualifying uninsured patients’ certain medications at no cost. The Dispensary of
Hope is open. Please check the website to see the formulary and bring a valid
prescription
Mental Health
✓ The National Alliance of Mental Illness has issued a Resources and Information Guide for COVID-
- For more details visit:
o https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-
on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US
✓ SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (800) 985-5990
✓ NAMI general Helpline (800) 950-NAMI (6264) Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and
6:00 pm EST for mental health resources.
Economic Assistance
✓ One Fair Wage is providing economic assistance for tipped and service workers
o https://ofwemergencyfund.org/
✓ United Way Covid-19 Economic Relief Fund (866) 211-9966. Call for assistance with:
o Bills
o Rent
o food
