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COVID-19

Our government agencies and partners have been working hard to serve our neighbors. We have compiled a list of COVID-19 responses and resources on this page, which will be updated on an ongoing basis. 

As the City of Chicago has issued a new Stay-At-Home Advisory, we encourage everyone to stay home as much as possible. The majority of our staff are working from home at this time; please contact us via email for the fastest response. We are also checking voicemail.

We plan to share email updates on a weekly basis.

Quick phone and text references:

  • Text COVID19 to 78015 to receive City text alerts
  • Text TALK to 552020 to access Illinois Call4Calm mental health services
  • Text HELLO to 741741 to access a trained crisis counselor
  • Unemployment insurance benefits: 800-244-5631
  • Food Depository + SNAP or Medical: 773-843-5416
  • United Way COVID-19 Recovery Fund - dial 211
  • Mental Health support: NAMI Chicago Helpline -  833-626-4244
  • Utilities: ComEd – 800-334-7661, Peoples Gas -  866-556-6001
  • Marillac House Homebound Elderly Program for food:  773-584-3265
  • Rush University Health Systems hotline for older adults: 800-747-0202

Garfield Park Mutual Aid

We are facilitating a hyper-local support network to share resources between neighbors during this time. Volunteers have delivered donated cleaning supplies, groceries, and food from local food pantries. Please consider making a contribution or volunteering support - and please share your needs - through the forms below:

Needs Form for Neighbors Affected by COVID-19: Garfield Park

Contribution Form for Neighbors Affected by COVID-19: Garfield Park


Education
Illinois November 14, 2020 Eviction Moratorium Updates Update

Know your rights! On November 14, 2020, protections for Illinois tenants were changed. Landlords can now file evictions unless tenants give them a written declaration that they should be protected by the COVID Eviction Moratorium. The update was extended through February 6, 2021. Tenants: Your landlord should give you a copy before they give you a new five-day notice. If your landlord doesn’t give it to you, you can make one at Rentervention.com.

What does the declaration say? Tenants must swear that they:

1. Fell behind on rent because of COVID
2. Expect to make less than $99k this year ($198k for couples)
3. Used best efforts to make partial payments (considering other costs like food, medicine, transportation, utilities, school supplies, winter clothes, and child care), and,
4. Would become homeless or have to double-up if evicted

More Housing Resources:
Metropolitan Tenants Organization 
Housing Action Illinois
National Fair Housing Alliance & Foreclosure Relief Summary
Legal Aid Chicago COVID-19 Updates for Homeowners
Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing COVID-19 and Renters Rights
The Preservation Compact & Downloadable Tenant and Owner Resources
City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program


Food
Greater Chicago Food Depository - Map Search
Breakthrough Urban Ministries Fresh Market
Marillac House Food Pantry & Homebound Elderly Program
Forty Acres Fresh Market - Delivery

Utilities & Internet 
Citizens Utility Board Consumer Protection Guide
ComEd
Peoples Gas
AT&T
Xfinity - Free Access to Out-of-Home Hotspots
Comcast Internet Essentials - Free or Reduced Cost

Other