Dear friend,

A new, free coronavirus testing site is operating in the Auburn Gresham/Chatham area, a service long overdue after this neighborhood saw the death of the first Illinoisan lost to COVID-19. See information below, and if you believe you are exhibiting symptoms, that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or you are in any way at heightened risk due to your underlying health conditions, employment, or living situation, please go get tested!

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th Illinois Senate District

Dear friend,

This afternoon, Gov. JB Pritzker announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year to contain the spread of COVID-19. Remote and e-learning will continue in place of in-person classes.

We know many Illinois families were hoping to return to their regular routines by the end of the school year. Students miss their friends and teachers, and parents are eager to watch their children graduate, go to prom, and enjoy other milestones.

But for the sake of everyone’s health and safety, it’s vital that we follow the guidance we’ve received from top health care and science experts around the world. That means continuing to stay home as much as possible.

We are taking the necessary steps to ensure our schools are prepared to handle remote learning: Illinois schools will receive $569 million in federal funding to help equip students with technology and internet access, support teachers in developing their remote instruction skills, and continue providing meals to children and communities during closures. When schools reopen, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will release recommendations to address learning loss and students’ social-emotional needs.

To help you through this difficult time, here are a few resources you may find useful:

Read more ...

Dear friend,

We’ve heard it many times: The best thing we can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is stay at home and limit contact with others.

Social distancing may sound simple, but disrupted routines and separation from loved ones can feel overwhelming. To make things worse, many Illinoisans have found themselves unemployed due to widespread business closures, revenue losses, and layoffs.

When you also consider the emotionally draining 24/7 news cycle, it’s no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has proven destructive to many people’s mental health.

Even in isolation, you are not alone. Whether you are in crisis or just looking for support, there is always help available. Here are some resources that might help you manage your mental health during this challenging time:

Call4Calm

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division recently launched Call4Calm, an anonymous, free-of-charge emotional support text line to connect Illinoisans to mental health services during the COVID-19 crisis. To speak with a mental health professional, text “TALK” (or “HABLAR” for Spanish-language services) to 552-020. Within 24 hours, you will receive a call from a counselor at a local community health center.

Read more ...

Dear friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic has been found to be especially dangerous to older people and those with underlying medical conditions. I know this is a scary and uncertain time, especially for seniors, and I want to reach out to let you know that help is available. Read below to find out more, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me via my website here if you have questions or need assistance.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th Illinois Senate District

AARP telephone town hall events

Join AARP Illinois on Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. for a live telephone Town Hall with Gov. JB Pritzker and Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike. Older adults can ask questions directly and share their concerns about the response to COVID-19. Register at https://vekeo.com/aarpillinois/# to be called by phone. You can also visit AARP Illinois’ Facebook page at 7:05 p.m. to listen live online.

Read more ...