Dear Neighbor,
First, I want to say that I believe that we will get through this if we listen, do what we are told and are vigilant.
It will be tough, but we are a strong, smart and tight-knit community. I cannot tell you how many posts I have read where people are asking how they can help. They are offering rides, babysitting, meals — you name it. It is heartwarming to see how our community comes together and can rally when times are tough.
Our office is following recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health, and working from home until further notice. Don’t worry — we are at the ready to field calls and respond to emails like we always do.
E-Mail: sara@senatorsara.com
We must work as a team and heed the instructions we are being given by the Governor, Mayor, and public health leaders. They have our best interests at heart and want to mitigate harm.
I have a great deal of faith in all of them — especially Dr. Ngozi Ezike and Dr. Arwady, who as doctors and public health professionals, are leading experts and making sure that Illinois is doing its part to ‘flatten the curve’.
Our office is at the forefront of this outbreak. Parents are calling looking for child care options, while small businesses and restaurants are wondering what relief and abatement programs they qualify for. Please know that we are working around the clock to get answers and make sure everyone has the resources they need.
On a regular basis, the Governor’s office, Senate Caucus, and others brief us on emerging issues so we can respond to your needs. Information is flowing rapidly, and I encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get real time updates.
COVID-19 is uncharted territory for all of us. We encourage you to read the COVID-19 preparedness checklist for individuals and households
Here are some tips to navigate COVID-19 in our community:
Stay up-to-date about COVID-19. Visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html for the latest information about the virus.
Not feeling well? If you do have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor to discuss your situation and condition.
Food security for everyone. Illinois has an abundant food supply. Make sure you have the essentials and remember that grocery and drug stores are still receiving regular deliveries. Panic buying only puts further strain on the economy and supply chain.
Healthy meals for CPS students. CPS will be providing free food boxes with three days of breakfast and lunch servings for students in every household. All families can pick up meals at any CPS school beginning on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Libraries and parks will remain open. These facilities will serve as centers for families impacted by the CPS closures. Learn more here.
Support our local businesses. Governor Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants to close their doors to dine-in customers by end of business Monday, March 16th. We must continue to support our local businesses during these trying times. The mayor has agreed to allow late-night delivery of food and West Lakeview Restaurant Week is already set up to take orders for delivery. Make sure you tip a little extra to support service workers who are impacted by these closures.
Small business resources. We are hearing from many of our small business owners and are waiting for the U.S. Small Business Association to offer low-interest, federal disaster loans for our neighborhood businesses who are suffering severe economic hardship from this shutdown. Please call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.govfor details. We will continue to share more resources as we get them.
Vote TUESDAY MARCH 17th! Polls will remain open on March 17, 2020. A few 6th District polling places have been reassigned due to COVID-19 concerns. Click here to find up-to-date information about your polling place. If you have a vote-by-mail ballot, it has to be postmarked by Tuesday, March 17th to be counted. You can also bring it to the polling place or early voting site and it will be properly counted.
For general questions about COVID-19, we encourage you to call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s hotline (1-800-889-3931) or e-mail them at dph.sick@illinois.gov. Because our office is prioritizing work due to COVID-19, we kindly ask for your patience with non-emergency matters.
While we are learning what to do during this outbreak, remember that life does not stop. Let’s continue to take the necessary precautions to #FlattenTheCurve, and stay strong as a community.
Very truly yours,
Sara Feigenholtz
State Senator
6th District
