Daily COVID-19 Update: Hospitalization Utilization Rates
Today Governor Pritzker provided updates on hospital utilization in the State. He reported 19% of tests coming back have positive results . The S tate's network of over 200 hospitals has approximately 2700 ICU beds. This does not include the 5 new alternative care facility beds that are being built including McCormick Place, Metro South Health Center in Blue Island, the old Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park and Vibra hospital in Springfield.

Due to the stay at home order we have seen non COVID-19 reasons for hospitalization drop due to many not being out. Statewide capacity for hospital beds include 43% available, 35% ICU beds available, 57% of ventilators available which is down from last week when 68% of our ventilators were available.

While the Governor recognized the trend in numbers with the 8% increase in hospital bed utilization and the 5% increase in ICU bed utilization compared to last week, he stressed that utilization rates vary on locality. Some hospitals South and Northwest of the city are below 20% availability of beds while others may be near max capacity but that does not mean that this is just a city of Chicago issue. Peoria is at 42% of ICU available beds and in Southern Illinois, Edwardsville is at 33% ICU beds available. Available hospitalizations depend on a variety of factors including the amount of equipment and staff available as well as recently discharged individuals which add to the numbers.

The Federal Government has delivered over 600 ventilators with 300 designated to the City of Chicago and 300 for the rest of the State. The State continues with its own procurement operation for ventilators, personal protective equipment and other needed items and just placed an order of over 3,000 ventilators. In addition, Governor Pritzker thanked California Governor Gavin Newsom for an overnight delivery of 100 ventilators and promised to “pay it forward” after Illinois is beyond our peak cases.

The call for medical professionals has resulted in 2,300 license reinstatement applications. Those interested in signing up to volunteer can sign up here or find the application for license reinstatement here: healthcare , physician , out of state applicants .

The Illinois Department of Public Health has launched a breakdown of cases by counties and breakdowns by zip code. Visit their website here to learn more . The City of Chicago's Department of Public Health has also launched a website dedicated to case counts in the city with specific demographic breakdowns here .
COVID-19 Count as of today :

1,287 new cases, 73 deaths today

77 out of 102 counties report cases across the State

If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health :
Hotline : 800-889-3931
Email : dph.sick@illinois.gov

City of Chicago's Department of Public Health :
Hotline : 312-746-4835
Email : coronavirus@chicago.gov

You can sign up to get updates from the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health here .
Mayor Lightfoot Signs Executive Order: Protecting immigrant and refugee Chicago residents
Today Mayor Lightfoot signed an executive order for the City of Chicago declaring that all immigrants and refugees regardless of status will be eligible to receive benefits provided by the city, including access to housing grants and the business resiliency fund. She also reinforced that the city of Chicago is a sanctuary city for immigrants and refugees. Read the full release here .
Illinois Department of Corrections: Releases and Newly Signed Executive Order
Yesterday Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 19 , granting greater discretion to the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections with regard to granting medical furloughs to inmates experiencing medical issues as well as at risk inmates. We are awaiting further guidance from the department as to how the order will be implemented, but this is a hopeful sign as we continue to press for more releases to protect inmates, staff and families in our state prison system.`As the Governor has shared at the last several press conferences, the department has been taking steps since very early in the pandemic to minimize the risk, but recent case numbers particularly from Stateville have raised the alarm over the need to take further steps, including to reduce the overall population. Since February, IDOC has now released over 1,100 low risk inmates either via direct action or the department’s regular release schedule. In addition, the Governor shared that the Department of Juvenile Justice has released 60 juveniles which is more than a 25% decrease for their facilities across the State.
American Diabetes Association: Information Regarding COVID-19 and Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association has compiled a list of resources for individuals who have diabetes and have questions related to their pre-existing conditions and COVID-19. Visit their website here . Those in financial hardship due to COVID-19 or are in need of assistance paying for insulin can find information by visiting  InsulinHelp.org or can call their hotline at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)
Long Term Care Facilities/Nursing Homes: Personal Protective Equipment Requests
Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has established a new unified email for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requests from nursing homes and long term care facilities. Those facilities can fill out a  213 RR form  and email it to cdphpheoc@cityofchicago.org  to make PPE requests. Please note that CDPH is prioritizing certain types of facilities with priority on those facilities that have positive cases. Separate from this procedure, CDPH has daily calls with hospitals to discuss updates, including PPE requests.
Health Care Resources
If you do not have a medical provider, are uninsured, or have limited or no income and you believe you need non-emergency medical services please see the list below. No Illinois resident will be turned away for the inability to pay or based on immigration status.

For a list of free and charitable health care facilities in Chicago please click here .

In addition to these clinics you can also find a list of low cost clinics here , please know that some hours may be affected in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also encourage all individuals to call ahead of time.

To view a list of social service agencies in and around our district visit our website and sift through our constituent resource guide .
Mental Health Resources
The city of Chicago released guidance for residents who are experiencing mental health issues, such as anxiety, trouble sleeping and depression as the direct result of COVID-19.
There are 4 FAST tips to help you cope during this time.
F ocus on what you can control
A void unreliable information
S eek support and
T ake a breath.
For more information on Free or Low Cost Mental Health resources click here .
Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)