Waukegan Township Community Covid-19 Resource Guide

PACE Dial-A-Ride services 800-201-6446 Patricia Jones, M. Ed. Waukegan Township Supervisor

Social Security Office 800-772-1213 / 888-320-0960 Lake County Health Department Crisis Care Line 847- 377- 8088 RTA/Metra - Bus card mailing inquiries 1-800-252-8966 RTA/Metra - Application submission questions (to IDOA) 800-252-8966 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services, call 1-888-227-7669 for updates about the status of Tax-Aide sites.

“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming.

When nothing is certain, anything is possible.”

Get Counted, Lake County 2020 Census!

By responding to the census, you help make sure Lake County gets adequate funding to support critical services like healthcare, education, roads, and more. It’s easy to respond online or by phone, and your answers are safe and confidential. Visit my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).

Residents of Waukegan Township, Although our offices are closed to the public, our staff is continuing to provide our residents with essential services, via telephone. For those with General or Emergency Assistance needs, we are here to help, please contact:  Supervisor’s Office - 847-244-4900, staff is conducting virtual interviews and addressing

Each major pharmacy has an online, phone, and app for ordering prescriptions: • Walgreens.com: Order online or call for drive-through pick-up.

•

CVS.com: Order online or call for drive-through pick-up. Home delivery available in one to two days.

• Wal-Mart.com: Order online, or call, for drive through pick-up.

PADS Lake County – provides community-based informed support, resources and shelter during housing crisis.

1800 Grand Ave. Waukegan, IL 60085. 847-689-4357 www.padslakecounty.org

Family First Center of Lake County www.safelinkwireless.com Free cell phones and extended service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Get Samples Automatically www.tryspree.com Get free stuff automatically when registering at this website. Items are automatically shipped out to your address upon completion of online forms. No long forms, 100% free shipping, no credit card needed, and new samples are available everyday.

There was a long line at 7:45am today at Costco that opened at 8:00am for seniors only. A young man came from the parking lot and tried to cut in at the front of the line, but an old lady beat him back into the parking lot with her cane. He returned and tried to cut in again but an older man punched him in the gut, then kicked him to the ground and rolled him away. As he approached the line for the 3rd time he yelled, "If you don't let me unlock the door, you'll never get in there!"

other Case Management needs, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. You may also email pertinent information, including type of assistance you are seeking, to nburke@waukegantownship.com  Eddie Washington Center - 847-244-0805 and Staben House - 847-244-9944, staff mem-

bers are conducting virtual interviews for residential intake applicants as well as other assistance, daily beginning at 8:00 am and on weekends.  Park Place 847-244-9242, staff will be available to address your needs during regular

business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm With the impact of COVID-19 in our community and the desire to keep everyone safe and secure, it is easy to lose sight of other areas of importance and necessity, such as the 2020 Census. We must all do our part to respond by the extended August 14th deadline - the success and vitality of our community greatly depends on it. Keeping residents safe is top priority, however, difficult times sometimes manifest into dangerous/abusive behavior. If you or someone you know is dealing with any form of domestic violence, know that there is help. Please contact the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic at 847-737-4042 or info@NSLegalAid.org.

Remember: When you stay home, you save lives. We are a strong community and we will get through this - TOGETHER!

General and/or Emergency Assistance This program is designed to alleviate life-threatening circumstances and to assist a person in attaining/maintaining self-sufficiency. Please check the web site for Eligibility requirement.

Emergency Assistance Our Emergency Assistance Program is designed to alleviate life-threatening circumstances and to assist a person in attaining/maintaining self-sufficiency. Rx, Rental, Utility & Funeral assistance available. Case Managers are conducting virtual interviews for those looking for assistance in finding safe, stable housing and becoming residents at Staben House & Eddie Washington Center Transitional Housing Facilities. Please see Page 3 for further details.

Employment Assistance Unemployed OR Underemployed? We can help! Contact our Employment Specialist, Johnnie Jenkins at 847-244-4900, Monday - Friday between 8:00 am - 3:00 pm or via email at jjenkins@waukegantownship.com.

Waukegan Township Listing Local Food Pantries Pantry Name

Location

Hours

Phone No.

Cool Food Pantry

800 W. Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan 1400 W. Yorkhouse Road, Waukegan

Mon. – Fri. 10 am – 2 pm

847-662-1230

Tuesday 9 am – 12 pm

847-662-8887

1500 Sunset Avenue, Waukegan 221 Washington Street, Waukegan 624 Douglas Avenue, Waukegan

Saturday 8 – 10 am Wednesday 11 – 3 pm Thursday 10 am – 12:00 pm

847-336-8260

800 S. Genesee Street, Waukegan 574 McAlister, Waukegan

Saturday 10 am – 12:00 pm 9 – 3 pm by appointment only

847-662-6325

565 Powell Avenue, Waukegan

Wednesday 10 am – noon

847-244-4400

Community Christian Church of Lake County Waukegan Baptist Bible Church The UMMA Center St. Anastasia Food Pantry Shiloh Baptist Church Food Pantry Lake County Community Action Food Pantry Greater Faith Church Food Pantry

847-336-6136 847-623-2875

847-249-4330

Senior Taxi-Cab Tickets (contact Supervisor’s Office or Park Place) provided via mail ONLY With the impact of COVID19 and Illinois Governor Pritzker’s "Shelter in Place” order, we understand that it can be difficult to use Waukegan Township taxi-cab tickets. We want you to know that Waukegan Township heard you and

will be extending the current expiration date on our April 2020 taxi-cab tickets. Your golden/yellow April tickets will no longer expire May31, 2020 but will be extended until June 30, 2020. If you should have any additional questions concerning the expiration date of tickets, please feel free to call us at Park Place at 847-244-9242. Customers will not be able to enter either facility for the expressed purpose of picking up tickets. For taxi-cab ticket distribution, please call 847-244-9242 or email lnava@waukegantownship.com (Mail orders only) Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Assistance - Park Place provides assistance with any questions pertaining to Medicare Parts A, B, C & D. For information, call Loretta Pable at 847-244-9242, email lpable@waukegantownship.com or contact Tania Flores for Spanish (Espanol) speakers at tflores@waukegantownship.com

Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program. www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us

Lake County Legal Aid &Pro Bono Services Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. 847-662-6925 www.justia.com

Provides assistance with saving your home from foreclosure. 847-377-3600

Tax Prep / Congressman Brad Schneider www.schneider.house.gov provides assistance throughout the Illinois Tenth Congressional District with free basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing to qualified individuals.

The Benefit Access Program - Benefit Access license plate sticker discount - 847-244-9242 Loretta Pable at lpable@waukegantownship.com or Tania Flores at tflores@waukegantownship.com for Spanish speakers.

Transportation Update > For dialysis patients - You must call 847-599-2936 at least one (1) day in advance to schedule a pick-up.

Transportation boundaries are: Edgewood Drive North in Beach Park, West to Greenleaf in Waukegan and South to the VA Medical Center. > RTA/Metra card renewal - Loretta Pable 847-244-9242 or lpable@waukegantownship.com or contact Tania Flores for Spanish (Espanol) speakers at tflores@waukegantownship.com

EFFECTIVE MARCH 24, 2020, ADVANCED DISPOSAL IS IMPLEMENTING THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO OUR WAUKEGAN COLLECTION SERVICE: 1. All trash/refuse and recycling must be placed in the company designated cart. Loose items outside of the container will not be collected.

2. All bulk item pickup/collection is suspended until further notice.

Illinois SNAP recipients will begin receiving maximum benefit amounts this week Customers do not need to call or visit an office; Increased SNAP benefits will be loaded directly on Link cards. CHICAGO/SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Human Services announced today that more than 450,000 Illinois households will receive additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning this Wednesday, April 8th. Eligible individuals and families do not need to take any action. The benefits will automatically be added to their Link cards. All who are eligible for the additional benefits should receive them by April 20th. The additional funds are intended to help Illinoisans obtain food and support for their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The maximum SNAP benefit amounts will be implemented for April and May. Increased benefits will be automatically loaded onto SNAP recipients Link cards, and there is no need for anyone to re-apply, visit an office, or call. All new applications authorized in April will also receive the maximum allotment for their household size.

Virtual interviews will be offered for those interested in becoming residents of the Staben House and the Eddie Washington Center. Currently, the centers are not accepting new residents, but will be providing initial contact that will assist you once released from the Shelter in Place decision.

Waukegan Township Staben House Transitional housing for women with children. Phone 847-244-9944; lcastellanos@waukegantownship.com / Eddie Washington Center. Phone 847-244-0805; mjones@waukegantownship.com The Waukegan Township's Home Sweet Home program provides lawn maintenance and snow removal services, free of charge, to Waukegan Township citizens; age 55 or better. Please call our hotline at 847-599-2932 to register and receive your complimentary lawn care and snow removal services. HSH is going to proceed as scheduled with a start date of 5/18, as long as certain restrictions have been lifted.

The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act gives states the option to provide SNAP households with the maximum SNAP allotment, which is based on household size. SNAP households which are not currently receiving the maximum allotment will receive additional SNAP benefits which bring their allotment amount to the maximum. Households already receiving the maximum benefit will not receive additional benefits.

News from Waukegan Township Assessor Mark Stricklin Normally, as with tax years previous to Covid-19, Lake County would have sent out notices and renewal forms for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze. Your local Assessor’s Office is available to assist with these forms after they are mailed. This mailing has been postponed for an undetermined

Illinois SNAP recipients receive their benefits at different times each month, so increased SNAP benefits will be loaded on different dates for SNAP recipients.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food assistance to low-income people and families living in the United States. It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Distribution of benefits occurs at the state level.

CURBSIDE FOOD PANTRY: Community Action Partnership of Lake County has reopened their food pantry as a free food resource for eligible residents adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic stay at home orders and are offering Curbside Food Pantry services to adhere to social distancing and stay at home orders.

1) The Food Pantry is open daily.

2) Lake County residents must call 847-249-4330, between the hours of 9:00 am-4:00 pm ONLY. Press #1 for Services, then Press #3 for CSBG food pantry, a case manager will assist in applying.

3) Once the application is completed, a scheduled pick-up date/time Monday-Friday to go to the pantry to receive PRE-PACKED food boxes. Additional meat and perishable items will be added according to family size once the recipient arrives. Food will then be brought out to the recipients vehicle (curbside).

Grocery/Instacart information Insta-Cart: Order groceries for delivery or pick-up. The app is free, groceries must be paid in advance.

This app is connected to Mariano's, Aldi, Costco, Jewel, Sam’s Club, and Target. There are coupons for free delivery.

amount of time, however, we will keep you posted on any updates. Remember, to be eligible for an Assessment Freeze, you must be over 65 years of age, with a household income under $65,000.00. You will also be required to provide proof of income (with previous year’s tax returns) and valid photo identification. PLEASE NOTE: This exemption does not freeze your taxes, but the value of your property. For additional information, visit the Lake County Assessor’s website at: www.lakecountyil.gov/154/Chief-County-Assessment-Office The Waukegan Township Assessor’s office is closed to the public until further notice. Please call 847-623-4500 and leave a message - our staff will get back to you within one business day. You may also contact me directly, via email the Assessor at mstricklin@waukeganassessor.com Thank you for your patience and understanding in these difficult and challenging times.

Respectfully, Mark Stricklin Waukegan Township Assessor

Coalition Legal, LLC - for expungement and sealing of criminal records Did You Know? Arrests and acquittals are expungable. Guilty pleas, probation, supervision and convictions, are not. Virtual interviews are available. For further information, please call 847-244-4900.

COVID-19 Helpline To Answer Non-Urgent Questions Or Concerns About COVID-19.

Free Telehealth Services for the Community (630) 444-7422 Pakistan-Descent Physician Society (PPS) & ICNA Relief, in collaboration with other organizations, announces the opening of a FREE telehealth services helpline to advise patients on non-urgent questions or concerns without having to visit medical clinics or a doctor's office during this COVID-19 health crisis.

The COVID-19 health crisis requires citizens to stay at home to avoid the spread of the virus, yet many patients need medical advice during these difficult times. This service will help provide information and answer questions regarding medical issues related to COVID-19.

Trained physicians and nurses will answer questions from patients and give them advice on issues related to COVID-19. The purpose is to ensure that patients get timely information on COVID-19 without unnecessarily crowding doctor offices, emergency rooms, or clinics.

The service is available from 6 pm- 9 pm on weekdays and 12 pm- 3 pm on weekends. Patients should call 630-444-7411.

Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE As we all continue to take precautions and manage the impact that COVID-19 will have on ourselves, our families, and communities, please join us in making sure individuals experiencing domestic violence are safe and secure. If you or someone you know is living in danger, be in touch – do not wait. Please contact the following for organizations for assistance;

1. A Safe Place has a 24-hr crisis line at 1-800-600-SAFE (7233) or asafeplaceforhelp.org 2. North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic at 847-737-4042 or info@NSLegalAid.org 3. Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center at 847-872-7799 or www.zcenter.org

Childcare for Essential Workers The State of Illinois has launched a new resource to connect essential workers to childcare. Effective on April 1, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s program. This includes people working as doctors, nurses, hospital staff, grocery store clerks and food producers. If you are an essential worker and need help finding childcare, call 888-228-1146, or use the COVID-19 Emergency Provider Search.

Community Action Partnership of Lake County & IDES Unemployment Program United Way 211 Program

The Lake County Health Department recently announced the launch of their ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ campaign, covering the basics of COVID-19, social distancing, and the importance of staying at home to protect yourself and others. The campaign toolkit is available at www.lakecountyil.gov/stayhomesavelives and contains a wealth of information in English and Spanish, including videos, social media messaging, printable resources and more.

Protect Yourself Against COVID-19

Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Important Information: Online filing and claims applications will be unavailable every night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for daily claims processing. In order to process the extremely high volume of unemployment benefit claims due to COVID-19, IDES has implemented schedules for those filing claims online and over the phone. For filing and other information, please call 800-244-5631.

COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits

Lake County Health Department: The LCHD is monitoring the number of people in Lake County who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19); they post a daily update. Our priority is the health and safety of our residents, and we continue to use every available resource to prepare our communities for the spread of COVID-19. For more information, log on to; www.lakecountyil.gov/4377/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19

Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible.

Illinois Call4Calm Text Line If you or a loved one are struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and need emotional support, text TALK to 552020 for English or HABLAR for Spanish. This service is anonymous, free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Offers a free, confidential helpline, available to all Lake County residents in need of assistance with:

> Housing > Personal, Child & Family Support Services

> Utilities > Food > Crisis Help

> Financial Support > Health Care > Mental Health & Addiction

...and much more! To reach the 211 program specialists, simply text 898211 or call 211 from your mobile or landline phone.

SPAOA – Single Parents Alliance of America www.SPAOA.org provides assistance, single parent help, government help, individual and family resources, free enrollment, and other resources.

NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness - Lake County Illinois www.namilake-il.org Offers support, education, advocacy, volunteer opportunities to assist in various capacities. 847-249-1515

Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Illinois State Museum

www.lakecountyil.gov Resources for parents, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Partnership for drug-free kids, stop underage drinking, The substance and Mental Health Services Administration, Suicide Prevention.

www.illinoisstatemuseum.org Stories of Covid-19 – a place to share your stories, a place to share pictures, assistance in understanding the wide range of emotions and experiences brought about by the virus.