City & State Updates
Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced that there are now 422 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the State. We are expecting the number of cases to increase daily as test kits become more readily available. Follow the Governor's facebook page and tune in at 2:30pm every day for his live updates on the situation.


Guidelines and real time updates can be found on the new COVID-19 website here .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has also taken steps to take unnecessary financial burdens off of families during this time. The city has suspended booting cars, late fees and default collection payments on red light camera tickets along with suspending other city collection measurers until April 30 .

Yesterday evening the Mayor announced the creation of a Small Business Resiliency loan fund targeting $100 million in low interest loans for impacted small businesses. She also announced extending due dates for city tax payments including: bottled water tax, checkout bag tax, amusement tax, hotel accomodation tax, restaurant tax, and the parking tax to April 30.

Chicago Public Schools has extended the closure of schools until Tuesday, April 21 . To find a list of learning enrichment resources for students as they stay indoors visit the CPS website here .


If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health's hotline by calling 800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov

The City has also set up a hotline at 312-746-4835 or email coronavirus@chicago.gov. You can sign up to get updates from the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health here .

You can also find updated guidance on taking precautions here .
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
IDFPR has announced guidance to help those with profesional licenses. Effective immediately, the expiration date for licenses up for renewal between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 has been extended to September 30, 2020.

The continuing education requirements with renewal deadlines within that same period will also be extended to September 30, 2020. A complete list of professions with extended renewal deadlines can be found here.  
Tax Relief for Bars and Restaurants & U.S. Small Business Loan Fund Open
Due the Governor's executive order of mandating the closure of dine in restaurant and bar options the Department of Revenue has announced deadline and penalty waivers for payment on sales taxes .

Illinois was also approved to take advantage of the U.S. Small Business Administration Loan Fund. Eligible businesses and non-profits can apply for up to $2 million in low interest loans here .
Medical Teleservice/Physician Updates
Yesterday the Governor signed an executive order to expand the use of telemedicine services for private and Medicaid insurance providers. The executive order also establishes reimbursement rates at the same cost as an in office visit.

The Governor also announced the launch of a new website for physicians across the State to better understand and address the needs of COVID-19 patients. Physicians can sign up here on the website for these updates or email dph.siren@ilinois.gov for more information.

Helpful resource centers by service providers:
• CVS Health (Aetna) – COVID-19 Resource Center
• Quartz Benefits – Benefit Enhancements for COVID-19
• UnitedHealthcare - COVID-19 Resources
How You Can Help

  • The Red Cross is seeking individuals to give blood during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about giving blood during the COVID-19 pandemic click here. To find a blood donation site please go here and enter your zip code.
  • Streetwise in seeking contributions to support the homeless during this time of need. Visit their website here.
  • Sign up for the 48th and 49th ward rapid response teams to be part of the community groups that reach out to our most vulnerable populations.
  • The city of Chicago in collaboration with the Community Trust and United Way have started an emergency fund to prevent homelessness during this pandemic. To contribute to the fund visit their website here.
Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)