COVID-19 Resources
During these challenging times, it’s crucial that workers have access to the resources they need. The materials below are to help you navigate this pandemic.
Vaccination Information
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (ENG)
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (SPAN)
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Legal Questions
- SEIU Principles on COVID-19 Vaccination (ENG)
- SEIU Principles on COVID-19 Vaccination (SPAN)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable featuring members from across the union asking questions about vaccine development, efficacy and safety to Alicia Fernandez, M.D., a Professor of Medicine at UCSF and a general internist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. The English video was moderated by EVP Leslie Frane and the Spanish video was moderated by EVP Rocio Saenz.
- Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) webinar with AFT, SEIU, and AFSCME on COVID-19 vaccinations. This webinar will include Dr. Peter Marks (FDA), Dr. Nancy Messonnier (CDC), and Dr. Patricia Whitley-Williams (CDC). December 2, 2020.
General Guidance and Resources
- Coronavirus
- Why a Union Matters
- What We’re Fighting For
- Demand Protective Supplies for Healthcare Workers
- Unemployment Insurance – IL
- IL Department of Employment Security – Information Sheet For Non-Instructional Academic Employees
- IL Department of Employment Security – Claim Process
- Unemployment Insurance – IN
- SNAP, Cash, and Healthcare Coverage Assistance – IL
- SNAP, Cash, Burial, and Healthcare Coverage Assistance – IN
- Legal Aid Services
- General Public Health Information on COVID-19
- ACA Marketplace Health Insurance Enrollment or Medicaid Enrollment
- Local Government Resources
- Mental Health Resources
- Housing Resources
- Learning Resources for Students
- Other Resources
- Daily Distractors for Everyone
- How to file for Unemployment (English)
- How to file for unemployment (Spanish)
- List of Covid-19 Testing Sites in Illinois
- Indiana FAQ on Testing Sites
- ISBE FAQ
- Link to NELP CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Information
- Link to DOL Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- 10 Steps to Preventing Coronavirus (or COVID-19) , En Español
- A Fact Sheet for Healthcare Workers, En Español
- How does the new established economic package affect me?
- Ten Steps For Janitors
- CDC: Prevention and Treatment
- CDC: Interim Guidance for Business and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), February 2020
- CDC: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- CDC: What to Do If You Are Sick with COVID-19
- OSHA: Protecting Workers During a Pandemic fact sheet
- OSHA: Information for Workers and Employers About the Coronavirus Outbreak
- OSHA: COVID-19 Control and Preventions
- Need help filing for unemployment? Here are some tips
State Specific Resources
Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10 requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 until May 30. Beginning in May, Illinois residents will be asked to wear masks in settings where social distancing is not possible (more info here). The order does NOT prohibit essential work or activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Janitors, Security Officers, and Residential Workers are deemed essential.The governor moved to allow people who have to skip work because they have coronavirus to collect pay, even if their job doesn’t come with paid sick leave. Those who are unemployed due to sickness can collect unemployment insurance, “to the full extent permitted by federal law.”Union Health Service (UHS) UPDATE: If you or your family uses Union Health Services (UHS), please call (312) 423-4200 before showing up. A professional will advise you on the best course of action. Click here for more information. Chicago Public Schools will be closed from Tuesday, March 17 through Tuesday, April 20. Deep cleaning on schools will begin on March 17. All CPS school sites will serve as food distribution sites for CPS students. Food pick-up will take place outside of the school building and begins at every school on Tuesday, March 17 and is scheduled from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Monday through Friday. CPS families can pick-up three days worth of meals at time, each with two meals per child. If you need assistance, please call the CPS Command Center at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or email familyservices@cps.eduThe City of Chicago announced a temporary suspension of debt collection, ticketing and towing practices through April 30. Residents who owe debt will not face ticket doubling and defaults on payment plans during this health crisis.
COVID-19 Testing: For testing sites in Illinois click here
Unemployment: To apply for unemployment insurance, visit the Illinois Department of Employment Security website and their FAQ here. The state is working to analyze the impact of the federal stimulus on Illinois – for questions on the package, click here.
For a step-by-step guide on applying for unemployment in IL click here and for a video guide click here.
ComEd Extends No-Disconnect until June 1: ComEd is extending the suspension of service disconnections for nonpayment and waving of new late payment fees through at least June 1. Customers who may experience financial hardship should visit ComEd.com/CARE or call (800) 334-7661.
Food: To apply for SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Medicaid, visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
To receive COVID-19 text alerts from Cook County, text AlertCook to 888777