COVID-19 Bulletin #1: Keeping our Families Safe

Dear Neighbor:

Like you, our office has been adjusting to the rapidly changing circumstances and our response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. First and foremost, please know that our highest priority is to protect the health and safety of our community. We know that the best way to keep our families and communities safe is to keep you informed and assure you that our office is here to provide support to our constituents who need vital services.

Following the guidelines of the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), our physical offices will be closed to the public effective Monday, March 16th through the 27th.

Despite this, there will be no interruption of service to our constituents. Throughout this crisis, we will be continuously monitoring the phones, emails and messages to answer questions and assist constituents with state services and other resources. We are encouraging constituents with medical questions to contact their healthcare provider. To view up-to-date information on Illinois’ response to COVID-19, please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Slowing the spread of COVID-19 will require the cooperation and diligence of everyone in our community. The goal of social distancing is to blunt the spike in cases so that our medical professionals can care for those with urgent need.  Even those not considered “high risk” need to adhere to social distancing guidelines to protect our community at large.

Illinois has imposed serious and necessary measures to protect public health based on lessons learned from other countries impacted by the pandemic. While social distancing has proven to be the best way to slow the rate of infection, we want to urge everyone to remain calm and consider others when stocking up on food and other necessities – please note that even in countries that have required isolation, grocery stores and pharmacies remain open and supply chains are functional.

We are in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois, and we all play an important role in protecting the health and safety of our community. In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to provide updates on protective measures and links to resources.

On Friday, we issued a press release reiterating the steps outlined by Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health that everyone can take to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

As of close of business today, Governor Pritzker has announced that all restaurants and bars will close for inside dining through March 30th to limit the spread of COVID-19. They will remain open for delivery, drive-through and curbside pick-up orders.

This is the latest in a series of steps the Governor has taken to slow the trajectory of new infections in Illinois. On February 11th, Illinois became the first state to be able to test for the novel coronavirus on its own. The Governor issued a disaster declaration on March 9th, which is Illinois’ version of a state of emergency, to open up state and federal resources, including federal disaster aid. Aligning guidelines from the CDC, Illinois banned gatherings of 1K or more people on March 12th, and the Governor recommended that all public gatherings and community events that are expected to attract 250 people or more be canceled or postponed. Two days later, Governor Pritzker announced that all public and private K-12 schools will close from Tuesday, March 17, through March 30. Illinois also filed for a federal waiver to expand Medicaid coverage as COVID-19 continues to spread.

We understand that responding to this public health crisis means a disruption in our daily lives – none of these steps is easy, but all are necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect lives. We will get through this together by doing what we can.

In the coming days, we will follow up with information on where families in need can obtain food and other resources.

Stay tuned. Stay Safe. Be Kind.

Warmly,

Jennifer

 

 

Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

 


Resources

CDC “Share Facts, Not Fear”

CDC Coronavirus Fact Sheet

IDPH Frequently Asked Questions

With questions and concerns about coronavirus,

please call the IDPH 24/7 hotline at 1-800-889-3931

or email DPH.SICK@Illinois.gov

 

Niles Township Food Pantry Needs Your Help

Beginning on Monday, March 16, at 10:00 am volunteers at the Niles Township Food Pantry will be assembling and distributing boxes containing a week’s worth of groceries for those in need. Boxes of groceries will be given out based on the number of family members, with a minimum of one box per family. The Pantry is in need of your donations of the following items to ensure each box is fully stocked.

  • Multi-Surface Cleaner
  • Tylenol (or generic brand)
  • Toilet Paper

Those in need of supplementary food will be able to pick up at our Pop-up Pantry site at 8300 Lehigh Ave,  Morton Grove  60053 on Monday the March 16  and Wednesday, March 18, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, Additional evening hours will be available at the Township Building Back Door Entrance from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Hours for pick up for the week of March 23 – 27 will be available by March 20, as we have a better handle of the need for food assistance. Carpooling at the Lehigh site is encouraged. The parking lot is a small, gravel lot in the rear of the building.


Attorney General Raoul Issues Warning About COVID-19 Scams

Attorney General Kwame Raoul urges Illinois residents to be on alert for possible email and social media scams tied to the COVID-19 outbreak. Consumer alert COVID-19 03.10.2020 (1)


Metra Waives $5 Ticket Refund Fee

Metra will waive its $5 handling fee for Monthly refunds due to the number of Metra customers forced to restrict travel and work from home due to the COVID-19 virus.  Refund Charge waived

 

 

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