New Executive Order Takes Effect Today

What You Need to Know About Face Coverings

NOTE: Due to an internet issue, most subscribers did not receive this newsletter, so we are resending it now.

Dear Neighbors,

April has been tough, and today, the Governor's new Executive Order takes effect, including a new obligation to wear face coverings.

According to the Governor's Executive Order, "Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask."

This means that unless you can maintain a 6' distance from others when outside, you must wear a face covering. And you must wear a face covering inside stores.

Gov. Pritzker said if people don't wear coverings, they shouldn't be allowed in. Just like everything else, you're not able to go into a restaurant without shoes."

We in the 43rd Ward live in a dense environment, and most of our sidewalks are 6 feet wide or less. None of us can guarantee that when we go for a walk or stroll that we can keep 6 feet away from everybody. So please, wear a mask whenever you are outside, even if you feel you don't "have to."

When we started writing about this pandemic, a mere six weeks ago, there were a handful of confirmed cases in the entire state. Today, there are over 50,000 cases and more than 2500 dead. COVID-19 has killed as more people in the United States in a month than the flu usually kills in a year.

These numbers would have been much greater but for the Stay At Home Order and social distancing requirements. If we want to stop this pandemic, we need to act together - and wear face coverings.

How to Get a Face Covering

Remember, the Executive Order does not require a medical-grade mask. A simple face covering will be sufficient - and effective.

As we said yesterday, you can make face coverings or buy them. Several local businesses are producing ma s k s--help support our neighbors--click on any of the links to buy locally.

Please send us pictures of your new face coverings! We'd love to publish funny or stylish coverings and the best ones for kids. Send the photos to yourvoice@ward43.org

Mask Distribution Program For Medical Workers and

Those in Need

Wonderful organizations such as Masks for a Safe Chicago , have already distributed thousands of masks in our community for social service organizations and our senior residents who live in CHA buildings. Today, our office joined them in distributing 2,000 medical grade face masks to our Ward's nursing homes, including Little Sisters of the Poor, which have found it so difficult to replenish their supplies. Many thanks to Mayor Lightfoot for making these available.

Our office is in the process of getting a limited number of cloth masks from the City of Chicago that we will be distributing to those in need in our community soon. I will have more information on our distribution plans in a future newsletter. In the meantime, please buy or make a face covering.

Additionally, we are continuing to collect handmade masks this Saturday at our ward office, 2523 N. Halsted, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to be distributed across the City to the city's most vulnerable residents. Click here for more details.

Active Trans - Social Distancing Measures

The Active Transportation Alliance worked with the Cook County Department of Public Health to produce this message about practicing social distancing thoughtfully.

Rental and Housing Forbearance

Mayor Lightfoot announced the Chicago Housing Solidarity Pledge to provide relief to beleaguered tenants and building owners negatively impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The pledge affirms lenders and landlords may offer eligible renters and mortgage holders deferred payment agreements and other financial relief in response to the economic fallout of COVID-19 and continuing after the pandemic, including, for landlords:

Grace Period for Rent Payments: Offer deferred payments with repayment terms that avoid repayment at the end of the deferral period.
Written Repayment Plan: Permit renters with a missed rent payment to amortize the payments over time.
No Late Fees for Missed Payments: Provide relief from rent-related late fees.

And for lenders:

Grace Period for Mortgage Payments: Offer deferred payments with repayment terms that avoid immediate repayment at the end of the deferral period.
Suspension of Foreclosures: Provide relief from foreclosure filing until May 31, 2020.
Neutral Reporting to Credit Agencies: No reporting late payments to credit reporting agencies, consistent with applicable guidelines, for residential borrowers taking advantage of COVID-19 related relief, provided that loans that were delinquent prior to deferral will continue to be reported as delinquent.
No Late Fees for Missed Payments: Provide relief from mortgage-related fees.

I encourage you to speak with your lender or landlord about the Pledge if you are eligible for deferment or another solution. You can read the pledge here, including a list of landlords and lenders.

Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence During COVID19

The Cook County State's Attorney has provided information for people that are surviving domestic violence during the pandemic. Please click this link for resources available now.

Also, if you need someplace to go due to domestic violence, please call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline which is available to residents 24/7/365 at 877-863-6338. The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence and HotelTonight, a short-term hotel platform, are partnering with the city to provide rooms for victims of domestic violence.