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2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19
Support Chicagoans Serving On The Frontline!
Chicago First Responders Need YOU
While first responders, healthcare professionals, and other essential personnel work on the frontlines during the fight against the spread of COVID-19, their families are in dire need of child care during this unprecedented time.
You can help by volunteering to provide child care for the family of one of these workers keeping our city going through Sittercity’s “Chicago Responds” program. Launched in partnership with the City of Chicago, the “Chicago Responds” program will connect members of the public and public-sector employees like yourselves with first responders who are looking for volunteers to provide sitter services in their homes. The program will also give all Chicago parents working as first responders free access to Sittercity Premium. Please consider donating your time to these local heroes and their families.
www.sittercity.com/chicagoresponds
Based in Chicago, Sittercity has been digitally connecting families with quality child care since 2001. They provide tools to help caregivers easily connect with local families including:
- Detailed Profiles
- Secure Messaging
- Interview Scheduling
- Background Check Options
Thank you for considering volunteering your time. Chicago and our first responders need your care and compassion now more than ever.
Help Swedish Hospital – Donate Medical Supplies
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Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) COVID-19 Outreach and Response
CHA COVID-19 Outreach and Response
March 20, 2020
CHA has provided all residents with a notice about COVID-19 that includes a link to the CDPH website with the latest information for City of Chicago residents. This notice is posted in all buildings and has been translated in various languages to ensure that everyone is informed with the latest and most accurate information. It is also posted on the CHA website.
CHA has closed all community rooms, fitness centers and other group gathering spaces and is posting signs in laundry rooms reminding seniors of the need to practice social distancing.
Until further notice, CHA has also directed its property managers and resident service coordinators to discontinue all group building gatherings, activities and events.
CHA is also reminding residents about the precautions each of us needs to take to protect ourselves based on CDPH guidance, including avoiding large group gatherings and practicing social distancing.
CHA’s property management firms will continue to perform twice-daily cleanings and disinfecting of common areas, doorknobs/handles, and other commonly touched areas to prevent the spread of harmful germs. All common areas and touch points are being cleaned twice a day, deep cleanings are also being conducted by Bio One Cleaning on an as needed basis.
As of March 11, the city’s Department of Family and Support Services began providing meals to seniors, including CHA seniors through its Golden Diners program using to-go box meals in place of the standard hot meal dine-in program. Seniors will take the box meals on-the-go rather than eat them in group settings such as community rooms. CHA continues to coordinate with DFSS on the meal program and delivery options.
CHA also has postponed all inspections except for those needed to address health and safety items at all CHA sites, including senior buildings and has postponed any non-critical construction work to minimize contact between outside parties and CHA residents, especially seniors.
CHA is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it evolves and will be evaluating whether any other policies or processes need to be amended based on information and guidance from CDPH.
Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago: COVID-19 Noticing & Communication
High-Rise Building Management
March 20, 2020
Noticing & Communication
If a person were to be diagnosed with COVID-19, it is the responsibility of the confirmed case to notify your building. CDC and CDPH would not respond to the property to provide guidance on cleaning, closing, quarantine, or decontamination.
The CDPH is following up on any close contacts and they will be given appropriate information about next steps. Persons who were in the office space and have not been contacted by CDPH are free to continue business as usual.
Building operators are encouraged to open and maintain lines of communications with their tenants as it is likely that any confirmed case will notify their employer rather than building management.
It is important to keep in mind that ADA, FLSA, and HIPPA laws concerning confidentiality, accessibility and employment remain in effect regardless of a COVID-19 occurrence. Building operators should consult with their legal counsel for specific advice. Links to details about employment laws can be found at the BOMA/Chicago COVID-19 Resource Page.
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
Building operators should consult with their janitorial providers to determine and evaluate current cleaning practices. It is important to determine if the cleaning contractor is able to provide service in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case or if a specialized vendor will need to be consulted.
For routine and preventative cleaning, CDC advises that products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.)
Increased high touch point cleaning using disinfectant cleaners such as Virex Plus should be employed to reduce the risk and spread of viral contamination. As an operational precaution, building operators should increase the cleaning frequency in high traffic areas, including lobby, security desk, entrances and elevators and sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, water fountains, elevator call buttons and handrails.
The guidance below provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas where those with suspected or with confirmed COVID-19 have visited. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
HVAC Operation
Generally speaking, in dealing with COVID-19, HVAC systems operated in accordance with normal ASHRAE standards will be sufficient. ASHRAE has developed proactive guidance to help address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. This webpage provides easily accessible resources from ASHRAE to building industry professionals. https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/resources
CDPH: Shelter in Place Do’s and Don’ts
Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce: Update from Governor Executive Order
Dear Business Owners,
At today’s press conference, Governor Pritzker announced a statewide executive order for Illinois residents to stay at home. Beginning Saturday, March 21st at 5PM, all residents in the State of Illinois are to stay home unless traveling for essential needs or businesses. S#8 and SSA#17 will continue to have security patrols in the late night/early morning hours to do frequent checks of our business district.
Here is an update from BCAP (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection):
Businesses that are considered essential operations that can continue operating, include, but not limited to:
- Emergency City services and other essential government services
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Grocery stores, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
- Hardware stores/plumbers
- Banks
- Laundromats/laundry services
- Transportation, including CTA and private transportation
- Essential infrastructure, such as utilities and public transportation
We encourage everyone to read the order and pay particular attention to section 12, which lists in three pages of detail the essential businesses that are able continue operations. Non-Essential businesses can maintain minimum basic activities to preserve the value and condition of the business’s inventory, equipment and location, to maintain security and to process payroll and employee benefits. Additionally, the business can take the minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences. Please read the FAQ for more information.
We understand that this order will have an impact on all Illinoisans, but this is a critical step to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. To help support businesses in this time of need, last night, Mayor Lightfoot announced the details of her relief package, headlined by a $100 million loan fund, to support small businesses affected by COVID-19.These measures are intended to provide much-needed local cash flow and stopgap relief for small businesses as we await federal support that will be necessary for businesses affected by this crisis. Please know that your City is working hard to put the necessary emergency measures in place to support all small businesses during this unprecedented time.
The following measures are included in Mayor Lightfoot’s Relief Package
- Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund: Through an innovative public-private partnership, Chicago has dedicated over $100 million to provide emergency, low-interest loans to severely affected small businesses. The fund will lend up to $50,000 in working capital loans to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have seen a 25% revenue decrease due to the impact of COVID-19. Applications will be accepted starting March 31st. Interested business owners are encouraged to fill out an interest form for more information. Philanthropic institutions or corporations interested in contributing to the fund, may submit their information to resiliency.funds@cityofchicago.org.
- Business Tax Deferral: To further provide relief for businesses over the coming weeks, the City is also extending due dates for tax payments until April 30, 2020 for the following City taxes:
- Bottled Water tax
- Checkout Bag tax
- Amusement tax
- Hotel Accommodation tax
- Restaurant tax
- Parking tax
- Additional Support Measures: On March 18, Mayor Lightfoot announced the temporary suspension or debt collection, ticketing and towing practices until April 30, 2020. The City will also temporarily defer all business fine collections as well as license renewal and late fees for Chicago’s businesses until April 30th. Finally, the City will also be temporarily suspending non-public safety related business penalties until that date.
Importantly, all of these local measures are meant to serve as immediate, temporary relief to ensure cash flow and supplement federal support that may take a bit longer to activate. All Illinois small businesses are currently eligible to apply for loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Loan Program. These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments until the situation improves. Interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits. Business owners can apply for a loan now at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
The Illinois District of the SBA is hosting twice daily webinars on the Economic Injury Disaster Loans starting Thursday, March 18. You can find details and register for these training events at www.sba.gov/il.
We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for all Americans, and that small business owners are particularly hit hard by this crisis. This is time for decisive action, and we hope that these relief measures can make an immediate difference. We will be sharing additional information on Chicago’s Small Business Resiliency Fund in the coming days.
In the meantime, please check out www.chicago.gov/BACPCOVID19 for business resources, including information on Governor Pritzker’s restaurant and bar closure. We remind all businesses to keep their business secure during closures. Please yourself and your family safe, and continue to visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus for us to date information on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chicago COVID-19 News for You: March 21, 2020
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Chicago Stay at Home FAQ as of March 20, 2020
