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COVID-19 Resources

 

 COVID 19 Health * Chicago Updates * CDC Updates* Illinois Updates *

City Services Suspensions * Hotlines and Guides*

  Financial Resources and Assistance *

 Housing * Healthcare * Food Assistance* 

 

 

COVID 19 Health

 

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: STAY HOME AND CONSULT A DOCTOR

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Sore Throat

  • Difficulty Breathing

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COVID-19 Medical Glossary-  A list of the key terms of Covid-19. Think of it as the footnotes to all you need to know about the coronavirus.

 

​COVID-19 Testing

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Where to Get Tested: 

 

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Healthcare Provider or Pharmacy

  • At your healthcare provider or urgent care centers. If you don’t have a regular doctor or medical insurance, locate a community health center.​

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  • Find information about Pediatric COVID Testing Sites here.

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  • In a pharmacy. Call or visit the website of your local pharmacy to find out if they offer COVID-19 testing. Free, no-cost testing is available at many pharmacies across Chicago, including:

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At home test (over-the-counter / no prescription)

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At-home collection kits and tests are available by prescription or over the counter in a pharmacy or retail store. 

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Over the counter (no prescription needed): Several tests can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription and used by a consumer in their own home (Abbott, Ellume, LabCorp). Fully "at-home tests", such as the Abbott BinaxNOW and Ellume, cost between $10-$40 per test and can provide an answer in as little as 15-20 minutes, while result from the LabCorp test (which is sent out to a laboratory for testing) may be available in 1-2 days.

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At home test (prescription needed)

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In addition to test available for purchase over the counter, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized dozens of test-by-mail kits (where a kit is sent directly to your home, and you mail it back to a laboratory for testing. Often, you fill out a screening questionnaire and receive a kit with instructions on how to collect and return your sample. Some tests include a telehealth consultation. Results are usually available 1-3 days later. Some options are available for free, regardless of your insurance or documentation status. For example, the nose swab from Pixel by LabCorp will bill your health insurance or the federal government (if you are uninsured or undocumented) so you may pay nothing upfront, and health insurance companies are legally not allowed to pass the cost of your COVID-19 test on to you. With some other nasal swabs (like Everywell or LetsGetChecked) and saliva options (like Vault or Vitagene), you may have to pay upfront and claim the money back from your insurance, though many are accepted by HSA and FSA plans. This is not an exhaustive list and CDPH does not necessary recommend any specific private company. 

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Community health center

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If you don’t have a health care provider or medical insurance, there are approximately 165 community health centers throughout Chicago, so find one that is close to you at hrsa.gov. No patient will be turned away because of inability to pay. Community health centers provide services regardless of patients’ immigration status and charge for services on a sliding fee scale. 

City of Chicago Community-Based Testing: CDPH has partnered with Rush University Medical Center and Esperanza Health Centers to offer testing at no-cost to Chicago residents, regardless of your insurance or documentation status.

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Illinois Testing Map: Do you live outside of Chicago? Use this link to find an interactive testing map. The map is updated frequently as locations are continuously added. Please note different testing sites might have different requirements. We recommend calling in advance or checking online first. For additional information, see the Illinois Department of Public Health list of testing sites.  At- https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid-19-testing-sites

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COVID-19 Vaccine

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The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical tool to safely reach the other side of this pandemic. Through efficient and effective distribution of the vaccine, we can suppress the spread of the virus, save as many lives as possible, and rebuild our economy. 

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Vaccines.gov is the quickest way to find a vaccine provider and schedule an appointment. You can find providers that offer the vaccine you want. 

Examples:

  • If you’re looking for a specific vaccine -- like Pfizer which is the only vaccine approved for children ages 12 and older -- the tool lets you check the vaccine you want and quickly search for providers that have it.

  • If you missed your second dose appointment, you need to find a provider that carries the same vaccine you received for your first shot. In Vaccines.gov, you can check that vaccine and quickly search for providers that carry it. 

 

Pediatric Vacinations

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City of Chicago Sites

City-operated vaccine site appointments can be booked through the City’s call center at 312.746.4835 or through www.zocdoc.com/vaccine. Chicagoans under 18 must have a parent or guardian book vaccine appointments on their behalf. All vaccine sites accept 12 to 15 year olds. A parent or guardian must accompany any minor under age 18, and unvaccinated parents and guardians will be encouraged to receive a vaccine as well. No appointment will be necessary, although pre-registration is encouraged. All COVID-19 vaccines are offered at no cost to everyone, no insurance or ID required.

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The following providers are confirmed to offer vaccination to youth patients.  

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The following providers are confirmed to offer vaccination to youth patients.  Individuals under the age of 18 may also use the City's COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to identify additional vaccine providers.

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CHICAGO COVID-19 RESPONSE CENTER

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Emergency Travel Orders- 

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., issued an Emergency Travel Order directing travelers entering or returning to Chicago from states experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. This includes both Chicago residents returning from travel to a designated state, and travelers arriving in Chicago from a designated state.

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For Wisconsin and Indiana, the Order applies to individuals coming from Wisconsin or Indiana to Chicago for non-work purposes and Chicago residents returning from Wisconsin or Indiana, unless they are deemed an essential worker. Exceptions to the Order for personal travel will be permitted for travel for medical care and parental shared custody. Individuals who travel to Wisconsin or Indiana, even if for less than 24 hours, still need to quarantine upon returning unless deemed an essential worker or are a student who commutes for school. Here you will find answers to common questions regarding the Emergency Travel Order and how it applies to Chicago residents and visitors.

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ILLINOIS UPDATES 

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CDC - CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

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GLOBAL PANDEMIC TRACKING MAP

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Hotlines and Guides

HOTLINES

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  • FREE emotional support text line, Call4Calm, for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19. Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish, “HABLAR” to the same number: 5-5-2-0-2-0. Call4Calm is free to use, and individuals will remain anonymous- 

  • Illinois Coronavirus Helpline: 1 (800) 889-3931

  • Chicago Department of Public Health: (312) 746-4835

  • ICIRR Family Services: (855) 435-7693

    • Immigrant Services

  • Cook County Department of Public Health: (708) 633-3319

    • Text “AlertCook” to 888-777 for text alerts

  • Cook County Benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.): (773) 843-5416

  • Great Chicago Food Depository Benefits Hotline: (773) 843-5416

  • Illinois Warm Line. Do you just need someone to talk to? Peer and Family Support Specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health recovery in their own lives as an individual or family members. They have been trained in recovery support, mentoring, and advocacy and are ready to listen and help you. The warm line is not a crisis hotline but is a source of support. Call: 1 (866) 359-7953

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RESOURCE GUIDES

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Financial Resources and Assistance

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Emergency Assistance​ 

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All Chicago: 

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Flexible Financial Fund

The Flexible Financial Fund is the primary program of the Emergency Fund. It is designed to prevent a sudden financial setback from becoming a long-term financial crisis.

If you are seeking Flexible Financial Fund assistance, please call 3-1-1 and ask for short-term assistance.

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State Homelessness Prevention Fund

The Emergency Fund was selected to administer the State of Illinois’ Homeless Prevention Funds for residents of Chicago. These funds provide assistance for security deposits, rent, mortgages, and utilities. Individuals seeking assistance from the State Homeless Prevention Fund should call 3-1-1 and ask for short-term assistance or visit one of the Department of Family Support Services Community Centers. A specialist will need to review the caller's eligibility. If they are not qualified, then referrals may be made to other community resources, ranging from short term loans to government support. In Chicago, dial 311, or in Cook County, people can dial the Homelessness Prevention Call Center at 1.877.426.6515

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Catholic Charities: Financial Assistance: Visit Here  

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St. Vincent DePaul -
Various locations. Visit their website to find location near you.
(773) 779-6700    Provide many services including food programs, emergency financial assistance, emergency transportation, shelters, and more.

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Additional Housing Resources

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Utility Billing Relief: In partnership with the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA), the City of Chicago is launching the Utility Billing Relief Program, intended to make water, sewer, and water-sewer tax bills more affordable for qualifying Chicago residents!

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Additional Assistance

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Caring Closet (call for information)
1745 East 71st Street, Chicago
(773) 947-9043

Serves the homeless and poverty-stricken families living between 35th & 103rd by providing free furniture, household items and clothing. REFERRAL NEEDED.

Cathedral Shelter 
1668 West Ogden, Chicago
(312) 997-2222
Provides emergency furniture assistance for individuals in current need of furniture or household items. Cathedral Shelter also may provide rental assistance, food, shelter and senior services.

ChildServ 
8765 West Higgins Rd, Suite 450, Chicago
(773) 693-0300
Since their founding in 1894, ChildServ has played a key role in Chicagoland's child welfare services. Today, ChildServ annually provides care and nurturing to nearly 3,800 children and their families across Cook, Lake and DuPage counties.

Heartland Alliance
208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1300, Chicago
(312) 660-1300
Provide general assistance, including housing, health care, human services and human rights protection, and more.

Salvation Army
Various locations. Visit their website to find The Army near you.
(773) 725-1100
General assistance, including social services, emergency relief and adult rehabilitation, and more.
 

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Healthcare Resources

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Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence during COVID-19 

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Food Assistance

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