Covid-19 Resources
Please consider bookmarking the links below, particularly the website of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), so that you can quickly access the latest information.
CLINICAL AND MEDICAL INFORMATION
The public health offices for the state, county, and municipalities are the best sources of reliable, up-to-date information.
- DPH: https://www.dph.illinois.gov
- Cook County: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/
- Evanston: https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/health-human-services
- Skokie: https://www.skokie.org/158/Health
For general, non-emergency information you can call the IDPH COVID Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, or email IDPH health professionals at DPH.SICK@illinois.gov, or the Cook County Department of Public Health at ccdph.covid19@cookcountyhhs.org.
Testing and Vaccinations
The number of testing sites is expanding, and vaccines are being administered on a rolling basis, with the most vulnerable residents and frontline workers given priority. COVID-19 vaccine supply will increase substantially in 2021.
- District Vaccine Rollout. For specific information on vaccine availability in our area, contact the public health offices above as well as your healthcare providers.
- Frequently Asked Questions about vaccines.
- IDPH: Click here to download current FAQs from the state.
- CDC: Click here for information from federal health experts. Residents living in assisted living facilities should contact their onsite medical team.
- District testing sites. Walk-in testing at Northshore Immediate Care at Old Orchard Woods, 9977 Woods Dr., Skokie, IL 60077. Indoor testing at Flick Park Fieldhouse, 3600 Glenview Road, Glenview, IL. Appointments required, click here to register. Please follow me on Facebook for the latest news.
- Nearby testing sites. Arlington Racetrack, 2000 W Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (while daily supplies last).
GENERAL SUPPORT
Individuals and Families. COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on so many of our families, our friends, and our neighbors. Each of the township governments serving District 17 residents provides safety net services for qualifying individuals. These include emergency financial assistance, housing support, and food through their food pantries.
- Help for Illinois Families Assisting Illinois families to access and afford home energy assistance and other essential services during COVID-19
- Apply for Unemployment Benefits
- Illinois Medicaid Information
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) TANF provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The program (formerly known as Food Stamps) helps low-income people and families purchase food.
- Supplemental Assistance for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) food assistance for youth up to the age of five.
- New Trier Township https://www.newtriertownship.com/ Main Office: 847-446-8202.
Food Pantry Eligibility: 847- 446-8201 - Niles Township http://nilestownshipgov.com/ Main Office: 847-673-9300.
Food Pantry Eligibility: 847-983-0073 - Northfield Township: info@twp.northfield.il.us. Main Office: 847-724-8300.
Food Pantry Eligibility: admin@twp.northfield.il.us
Businesses
In response to public health guidance and operating capacity limits, the federal, state, and county governments have put in place several programs to provide businesses with financial assistance. Check the links below to see if your business qualifies for relief.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration administers the Payment Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), as well as others.
- Federal Resources for Small Businesses including financial, operational, and access to local area advisors.
- The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, the Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Fund, as well as others.
- State Resources for Businesses of all sizes administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
- Small Business Information Center administered by the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Illinois Treasurer’s Office Bridge Loans Eligible Illinois Businesses or nonprofits must be headquartered in Illinois and have been shut down because of COVID-19. Applicants are required to have less than $1 million in liquid assets or $8 million average annual receipts (per SBA standards).
- The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development administers several relief programs under its Community Recovery Initiative.