The city of Chicago has established a COVID-19 Response Center as a way to take extra precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus through a densely populated city-center. The website for the Response Center can be found by clicking here.

The city encourages fighting stigma and fear by understanding the facts about COVID-19 and taking the effective precautionary steps recommended by health professionals. Support people returning from COVID-19 quarantine and help reduce the spread of rumors by letting people know that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. More information can be found here. 

I have also been actively speaking with aldermen from around the district in an effort to facilitate cooperation at a state and local level to ensure our community has the resources it needs. You can find more information about your local ward by clicking the name of your alderman in the list below:

• Ward 6: Alderman Roderick Sawyer
• Ward 7: Alderman Gregory L. Mitchell
• Ward 9: Alderman Anthony Beale
• Ward 8: Alderman Michelle Harris
• Ward 10: Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza
• Ward 17: Alderman David Moore
• Ward 21: Alderman Howard Brookins Jr.

CPS is providing meals to families until schools reopen. The meal sites are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are open to any CPS student. The meal site locations are subject to change, and we will keep you updated with the accurate and current information should that occur. Click here or refer to the graphic below to find your nearest meal site.

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Senate passed a budget Sunday:

“This is a very deliberate and responsible fiscal plan to help the state of Illinois recover from the devastation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Funds from the CARES Act, a U.S. stimulus package, will help the state of Illinois provide more resources to the communities hardest hit during the pandemic, including $100 million in housing assistance and $636 million for various business interruption grants.

“We are also preserving core services, including $12.6 billion for P-12 education and an additional $1 billion to the state and local health departments.

“As a budgeteer, I saw firsthand how difficult it was to craft this budget during these unprecedented times, but I take pride in knowing that it will provide needed relief and address issues of inequity in marginalized communities throughout the state.”

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) offered his full support of a plan expanding vote by mail for the upcoming general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This proposal allows the state to act reasonably to protect its citizens,” Sims said. “We are facing an unprecedented pandemic. This measured approach will ensure that voters can safely cast their ballots from the safety of their homes.”

Individuals who have voted in the past two years — either in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — will be mailed an application for a vote-by-mail ballot.

Those who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election will also receive an application.

Under the plan, individuals who aren’t automatically sent an application will still be able to apply for a ballot via the State Board of Elections’ website. Applications will open the day the law takes effect.

This legislation does not prevent in-person voting opportunities on and before Election Day.

“Many have fought, bled and died for our right to vote, and we need to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise that right,” Sims said. “I am confident this plan will help voters throughout Illinois do so without risking their health.”

Senate Bill 1863 now heads to the governor’s desk for approval.