COVID-19 Information and Resource Guide

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General Resources 

Restore Illinois

Gov. Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan is a five-phase, regional plan to reopen the state. Specific criteria must be met for each region to move on to the next phase. To find specifics about criteria needed for our region to move into Phases 4 and 5 or to read the entire Restore Illinois plan, click here. You can find answers to frequently asked Restore Illinois questions here. You can find current data on positive test rates, hospital admissions, and available hospital beds in our region here.

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COVID-19 Questions

For general information, resources and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit Illinois’ COVID-19 status page here or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) COVID-19 information page here. If you have more specific questions or concerns, IDPH has also created a COVID-19 hotline. You can reach the hotline by calling 1-800-889-3931 or by emailing DPH.Sick@Illinois.Gov. It’s important to note the IDPH hotline is not equipped to provide medical advice. IDPH has advised any resident who needs medical assistance to contact their primary care physician.

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Shopping Hours for Seniors

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association has compiled a list of stores offering dedicated shopping hours for seniors and people with preexisting conditions. You can find that list here.

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Student Loan Relief

The governor and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation recently launched a new student loan relief plan to help borrowers who are not covered under the federal CARES Act. For more information, please visit the state's website here.

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Business Resources

Financial Assistance for Businesses

Business owners in Illinois can find a comprehensive list of COVID-19 financial resources at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website here.

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Small Business Survival Guide

The Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center has created a small business survival guide to help businesses through the COVID-19 outbreak. You can find the survival guide here.

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Unemployment Resources

Expanded Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance is recommended for all those who are losing wages or jobs through the outbreak. For a link to guidance and the application, click here. The website is seeing heavy traffic, so the department is now asking individuals to adhere to an alphabetized schedule when filing an unemployment benefit claim online and over the phone.

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The day or time of day in which a claim is filed will not impact whether you receive benefits or your benefit amount.  Additionally, claims will be back-dated to reflect the date in which a claimant was laid-off or let go from their job due to COVID-19. You can also contact my office for assistance filing for unemployment insurance.

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Health Insurance

If you have lost your employer-provided health insurance as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, you may be eligible to enroll in a new plan at Healthcare.Gov here.

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Education Resources

Free E-Learning Resources

The Illinois State Board of Education has compiled an extensive list of e-learning tools and resources available for students of all ages. You can find those resources here.

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Higher Education Information

The Illinois Board of Higher Education has issued COVID-19 guidance for public and private colleges here.

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Emergency Child Care

If you need help finding child care due to COVID-19, you can use Illinois' emergency provider search tool here.

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Health Resources

Mental Health

The National Alliance on Mental Health created a COVID-19 Information and Resource Guide. You can access that guide here. 

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Call4Calm

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division has launched Call4Calm, a free emotional support text line. If you or someone you know is experiencing stress or mental health issues related to COVID-19, you can reach Call4Calm by texting “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0. For Spanish, you can text “HABLAR” to the same number. Illinois residents in crisis who text the hotline will be connected to a local mental health professional within 24 hours. If you are looking for other types of assistance, you can also text 5-5-2-0-2-0, with keywords such as “unemployment” or “food” to receive resources on those issues. For more information on Call4Calm, please visit its website here.

 

Young Adults

Middle and high school students experiencing a mental health crisis can anonymously speak with a mental health counselor through Text-A-Tip, Lake County's 24/7 helpline for young people. If you need help or are concerned about a friend, you can reach Text-A-Tip by texting LAKECO to 1-844-823-5323.

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Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association created a COVID-19 Information and Resource Guide. You can access that guide here. They have also create a page to apply for reduced cost insulin here.

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Domestic Violence

If you or a family member need assistance, you can reach the Illinois Department of Human Services' toll-free 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline by calling 1-877-TO END DV.

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Community Resources

Lake County 211

Looking for assistance but not sure where to start? Lake County's 211 system will connect you to the right service provider for your needs. You can access 211 by dialing 211 on your phone, texting your zip code to 898211 or by visiting 211's website here. 

Antioch Resources

The Village of Antioch is providing updates to residents and businesses multiple times a week on their website.​

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Beach Park Resources

The Village of Beach Park is providing weekly updates to residents on its website.

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Gurnee Resources

The Village of Gurnee has compiled local resources for businesses and residents. 

• We've Got It To Go: Gurnee's ist of restaurants that are still open and serving take out or delivery is here. 

• Gurnee's list of resources for businesses is here.

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Lake Villa Resources

The Village of Lake Villa has compiled a list of local resources for businesses and residents. 

• Lake Villa's list restaurants that are still offering carryout or delivery is here. 

• Lake Villa's general list of COVID-19 updates and resources is here.

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Lindenhurst Resources

The Village of Lindenhurst has compiled a list of local resources for businesses and residents. 

• Lindenhurst's list restaurants that are still open and serving take out or delivery is here. 

• Lindenhurst's general list of COVID-19 updates and resources is here.

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Wadsworth Resources

The Village of Wadsworth is sharing local COVID-19 updates on its website. ​

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Winthrop Harbor Resources

The Village of Winthrop Harbor is posting local COVID-19 updates on its website here. ​

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Zion Resources

The City of Zion is providing local COVID-19 updates for residents on its website. ​

 

Legal Aid Hotlines

The Illinois Equal Justice Fund is providing a list of resources for free/low-cost legal resources on its website.
 

Volunteer Opportunities

Serve Illinois

To find ways to get actively involved in Illinois' fight against COVID-19, please visit Serve Illinois' website here. 

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Lake County ElderCARE

Lake County ElderCARE, a local non-profit that offers free assistance to seniors, is seeking volunteers to do phone wellness checks on seniors who receive ElderCARE services. Individuals interested in volunteering to make at least two calls wellness calls a week are asked to contact ElderCARE at jlynneldercare@sbcglobal.net or 847-406-4683.

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Donate Blood

There is a heightened need for blood donations at this time. If you are healthy and able, please consider donating blood.  You can schedule an appointment at a local donation center here. 

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