COVID-19/Coronavirus Updates & Resources
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the most up-to-date information regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19.
Free meals are available in your community today. Click here to learn more about the meal pickup locations provided by Acero Schools, CPS and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, as well as meal deliveries. (Immigration status does not impact program eligibility)
Apply to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if your family is without an income or with a limited income. Apply or learn whether you are eligible at the following link: SNAP Program Website Link
Chicago Resiliency Fund
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The Chicago Resiliency Fund is accepting applications by phone now! The Chicago Resiliency Fund is a cash assistance program created to support Chicago residents who were excluded from federal stimulus aid in response to COVID-19. The fund will provide $1,000 per household for eligible Chicago residents, which includes undocumented individuals, mixed-status families, dependent adults, and returning residents.
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Please click the link below for more information on eligibility requirements and a list of organizations that are accepting applications. You may only apply once per household. Click here to learn more about the Chicago Resiliency Fund.
Unemployment Benefits
- Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Website Link
- You may also call IDES at 1-800-244-5631. (También puede llamar al 1-800-244-5631. El soporte está disponible en español.)
Federal Government Cash Assistance – Stimulus Check
- The federal government is sending direct cash assistance to eligible Americans of up to $1,200 for individuals, up to $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 per child under 17 years old.
- Click here to use the Stimulus Check Calculator to determine the amount you expected to receive.
- To learn more about whether you and your family are eligible to receive a federal stimulus cash check, please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
- Note: You must file a tax return for either Tax Year 2018 or 2019 in order to receive a check.
State Cash Assistance – Low-Income Families
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance to needy families who meet certain income criteria. Click here to visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website and learn more.
Rent & Utility Assistance
- City of Chicago:
- Call 311 for financial assistance paying rent or utilities
- Immigration status does not impact program eligibility
- Catholic Charities:
- Apply online for rent assistance: Click here for the Rent Assistance Application.
- Call 312-744-5000 for financial assistance paying rent or utilities
- Immigration status does not impact program eligibility
- Illinois Emergency COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
- Apply online for rent assistance: Click here for the Rent Assistance Application.
- For more information on this opportunity, click here.
- Immigration status does not impact program eligibility
Undocumented Individuals
Information from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights:
- COVID-19 AND PUBLIC CHARGE
Testing or treatment for COVID-19, also called Coronavirus, would NOT be used against immigrants in a public charge test. This means that immigrant families should seek the care they need during this difficult time. - If you have symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) you should seek care, make sure to call a healthcare provider first. You do NOT need to share any information about your immigration status.
- In Illinois there are resources available at a free or low cost please click here to visit bit.ly/statewide-clinics
- ICE Sensitive Locations Memo discourages immigration agents from conducting arrests or other enforcement actions at health care facilities. such as hospitals, doctors' offices, health clinics, and urgent care facilities.
- For more public charge information, click here to visit icirr.org/publiccharge
- Immigrant Family Resource Hotline: 855-437-7669
- COVID-19 Y CARCA PUBLICA
Las pruebas o el tratamiento para COVID-19 (Coronavirus) NO contarán hacia la carga publica para inmigrantes. Esto significa que las familias inmigrantes deben buscar la atención que necesitan durante este momento dificíl. - Si tiene sintomas (fiebre. tos. dificultad para respirar), debe buscar atención, asegúrese de llamar primero a un proveedor de atención médica. NO necesita compartir ninguna información sobre su estatus migratorio.
- En el estado de Illinois hay recursos disponibles de forma gratuita o a bajo costo por favor visite bit.ly/statewide-clinics.
- Los hospitales y los espacios de atención médica son seguros para visitar. El memorando de ICE desanima a los agentes de inmigración a realizar arrestos u otras acciones de cumplimiento en los centros de atención médica, como hospitales, consultorios médicos, clinicas de salud y centros de atención de urgencia.
- Para carga publica visite: icirr.org/cargapublica
- Recursos para FamUias Inmigrantes: 855-437-7669
Child Care for Essential Workers
- Click here to visit the Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development website or call 1-888-228-1146 to learn more about emergency child care for essential workers.
Federal Student Loans
- Student loan interest is suspended until September 30, 2020
- Wage garnishment and debt collection are suspended until September 30, 2020
- Student loan payments can be suspended until September 30, 2020 if you make a request with your loan servicer
- Click here to see the U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 response FAQ for more information
Small Business Loans
- After submitting documentation demonstrating the impact of COVID-19 on more than 3,000 businesses across the state, Gov. Pritzker announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the state's eligibility for disaster assistance loans for small businesses facing financial hardship in all 102 counties due to COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans. Click here to apply for a loan.
- The City of Chicago has launched the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund, a $100 million fund to provide low-interest grants to thousands of local small businesses suffering due to COVID-19. The grant program is now open for applications and is providing grants on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to access the grant application.
- Click here to visit the Chicago Resiliency Fund webpage, start your application and for more information about loan terms, business requirements, application information requirements and required attestations. The Resiliency Fund has a team of trusted experts at your service to guide you through the application, underwriting and closing phases of your loan.
- Click here to submit a question in English
- Click here to submit a question in Spanish
- Immigration status does not impact program eligibility.
Financial Assistance from Community Groups
- The Erie Neighborhood House Community Relief Fund is providing support for needy families, particularly those with undocumented individuals, who participate in the organization's programs. If you participate in an Erie House program and are in need, reach out to your program contact to inquire. Click here to learn more.
- Immigration status does not impact program eligibility.
Free Internet Access
- XFinity is offering free access to all "xfinity" public wifi networks. To find an Xfinity wifi hotspot near you or for more information about how to access. Click here to visit the XFinity website.
Click the links below to download a PDF copy of the document.
Acero Updates
Click the links below to download a PDF copy of the document.
Click the links below to download a PDF copy of the document.
Click the links below to download a PDF copy of the document.
Vaccination Opportunities
At Acero, we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for all our scholars, staff, family and community members. In the midst of a global pandemic we have witnessed moments where equity fell short. In our efforts to ensure this does not happen to our Acero Community members we are sharing resources should you so choose to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
Youth Vaccination Opportunities
Protect Chicago Plus
The Protect Chicago Plus program allows for community vaccine distribution in the hardest hit communities for adults 18 years or older. Announced on On January 25, the first 15 community areas that are being targeted through Protect Chicago Plus are Archer Heights, Austin, Back of the Yards, Belmont Cragin, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Humboldt Park, Little Village, Montclare, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Deering, Washington Heights, and West Englewood.
An estimated timeline is laid out below. Each neighborhood campaign is expected to last eight weeks. The preliminary schedule is:
Archer Heights
Back of the Yards
West Englewood
Roseland, Washington Heights, South Deering
Humboldt Park, Chicago Lawn
Humboldt Park, Chicago Lawn
You can expect to hear about vaccine opportunities through things like door-to-door outreach; face-to-face outreach in grocery stores, laundromats, and other high-traffic areas; phone and text banking, and more. The City also plans on working alongside community-based organizations and local leaders to get the word out
Esperanza Health Center
Esperanza is participating in the City of Chicago's Protect Chicago Plus program. Adults (those 18 years of age and older) who live in the following community areas may request an appointment regardless of whether they are essential workers or not.
Gage Park
All appointments for Gage Park residents are filled. If you are a resident of the Gage Park community and text GAGE to (773) 207-3133, Esperanza will add your name to our wait list. Please do not send more than one (1) text message. You will receive an update within 10 days with additional information.
Little Village
Esperanza will begin vaccinating Little Village residents starting Wednesday, March 3rd. If you are a Little Village resident, click here to learn how you can request an appointment. See link to detailed flyer here.
Little Village East Vaccine site - Esperanza Health Centers - 2001 S California Ave
Little Village West Vaccine site - Enlace Chicago - 2759 S Harding Ave
West Englewood
Esperanza will begin vaccinating West Englewood residents on Monday, March 1st. If you are a West Englewood resident, click here to learn how you can request an appointment.
IL Vaccine
Evanston 13-year-old Eli Coustan used his talents to design, code, and build out ILVaccine, which is a resource to help Illinois residents find available COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine appointment near you, click here: https://www.ilvaccine.org/.
Lawndale Christian Health Center: North Lawndale & Archer Heights COVID-19 Vaccinations
Adults (18 years of age and older) living in Chicago Community Areas of North Lawndale or Archer Heights can get their COVID-19 Vaccine through the City of Chicago's Protect Chicago Plus Program at Lawndale Christian Health Center.
North Lawndale residents will be scheduled at the Homan Square location - 3517 W. Arthington St.
Archer Heights residents will be scheduled at the Archer Avenue location - 5122 S. Archer Ave.
Please fill out the survey linked here with your information and a callback number. The team at LCHC will call you within a few days to schedule your appointment.
The LCHC will be verifying neighborhoods using your address and the City of Chicago's Community Area boundaries, which are located at the link here.
Sinai Vaccine Opportunities (Ages 12+)
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Mount Sinai Hospital
1500 S. Fairfield Avenue
Glasser Auditorium
1500 S. Fairfield Avenue
Glasser Auditorium
Holy Cross Hospital
2701 W. 68th Street
Auditorium
2701 W. 68th Street
Auditorium
Anyone age 12 and over is now eligible to get the vaccine. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
Got questions about the vaccine?
You are invited to the Vaccine Conversations Zoom event on June 24, 1:00 -2:00 p.m.
You are invited to the Vaccine Conversations Zoom event on June 24, 1:00 -2:00 p.m.
Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC) with Oak Street Health
In partnership with Oak Street Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Belmont Cragin community-based organizations, you can receive your COVID-19 vaccine if you are a register residents of Belmont Cragin and/or Montclare.
Only sign up if you are a resident in the Belmont-Cragin and Montclare neighborhoods of Chicago. Such neighborhoods will include part of ZIP codes 60639, 60634, 60641, and 60707.
*Under ‘Referral Name’ you can list NWSHC.*