Contributed photo | www.cityofchicago.org
Contributed photo | www.cityofchicago.org
In This Issue:
- Chicago Mask and Vaccine Updates
- City Cash Pilot Application Notification
- COVID-19 Vaccine Event at Savoy Square
- Housing Relief Program
Chicago Mask-Optional, Vaccine Requirements Lifted
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., announced that the City will remove the mask and vaccine requirements for certain public spaces on February 28 to align with the State of Illinois’ previously announced plans to lift the statewide indoor mask mandate on that day.
The vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor public settings where food and beverages are served went into effect on January 3 in response to the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases both locally and nationally, driven in part by the Omicron variant. More Chicagoans were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the Omicron surge than at any prior point in the pandemic and the great majority of these hospitalizations were in unvaccinated Chicagoans.
Masks will continue to be required in health care settings, on public transit, and in other congregate settings. As the City transitions its mitigation measures to remove the mask requirement, many Chicagoans will continue to wear masks in public spaces for a variety of reasons, even if they are vaccinated. For example, after 5 days of isolation or quarantine, masks will continue to be required in days 6-10 in public spaces, as they are now. CDPH recommends Chicagoans who may be immunocompromised or have a family member who is immunocompromised still wear a mask, as well residents under the age of 5 who are still not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Please be kind and considerate of your fellow Chicagoans and the decisions we all continue to make to protect themselves and those around them.
City Announces Sign-Up for Notification of Cash Pilot Application
The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot will be one of the largest monthly cash assistance programs in the nation and will support 5,000 low-income households with $500 a month for 12 months to provide additional economic stability. To apply for the lottery to participate, residents must live in the City of Chicago, be 18 years or older, have experienced economic hardship related to COVID-19, and have a household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (ex. $57,575 for a household of 3). Residents can learn more and sign up to be notified when the application is live in April at chicago.gov/cashpilot
$30,000 in Housing Relief per Eligible Homeowners
Applications for Homeowners Affected by COVID-19 to Open in April
Building on Illinois’ COVID-19 emergency housing assistance response, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced applications for homeowners financially impacted by the pandemic will be accepted beginning in April through the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program. ILHAF will provide up to $30,000 in free assistance per homeowner paid directly to the servicer, taxing body or other approved entity on behalf of Illinois homeowners impacted by COVID-19 to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures to keep families safe and secure while they regain their financial footing. Program information and updates can be found at illinoishousinghelp.org.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury requires this assistance be used as a “last resort,” therefore struggling homeowners are federally required to seek other relief options prior to being eligible to apply for assistance through ILHAF in April. Potential applicants must demonstrate they have either communicated with their mortgage provider about their inability to pay or sought counseling with a HUD-approved counseling organization. Interested homeowners are strongly encouraged attend an information session hosted by IHDA or one of our housing partners. The session schedule is posted online at illinoishousinghelp.org, for those without access to a computer or the internet, please contact the ILHAF hotline at 1-866-IL-HELP (866-454-3571).
Aldermanic Office of the Third Ward | 5046 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60609
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