For Illinoisans

The State of Illinois has launched a coronavirus response website with up-to-date information on how this virus is impacting all of us. For more information, visit Coronavirus.Illinois.gov. If you’re interested in serving our community through volunteer opportunities visit Serve.Illinois.gov. To learn more about the statewide #AllInIllinois effort go to AllIn.Illinois.gov.

For information about the resources available to our seniors click here.

For information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program as well as other grants and benefits that assist small businesses click here.

For further information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act click here.

For information regarding the Main Street Lending Program click here.

For information regarding direct payments click here.

For information regarding unemployment compensation click here.

For Frequently Asked Questions click here.

Resources for Local Veterans

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) has created a resource page on their website detailing what the VA is doing, what Veterans should do and how to protect yourself. You may learn more information from the VA here and see a FAQ document here.

Updates from the House Energy and Commerce Committee

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has also released updated information regarding issues related to ventilators, personal protective equipment and medical supplies, as well as an overview of COVID-19 testing efforts.

Hometown Heroes

As we work to combat the spread of coronavirus, members of our communities are taking extraordinary action to help respond. For example, a family in Galesburg sparked a movement across the country by placing homemade hearts in their windows to spread kindness and a distillery in Peoria has started making hand sanitizer. If you have seen a neighbor go above and beyond like this, I would like to hear their story. You can submit a story by clicking here.

Additionally, not all of our neighbors are able to work from home or always practice social distancing. Some of them are out serving on the frontlines of this pandemic working to help us get through this. People like doctors, nurses, health care workers, grocery store employees, truck drivers, postal carriers and first responders deserve our gratitude.

To express our appreciation for these dedicated Illinoisans, my office is compiling digital thank you notes to be distributed to our neighbors. You can send a thank you note by clicking here.

Information on the coronavirus

I encourage Illinoisans to routinely follow updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the latest information regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Out of concern for the health and safety of our families, below are resources from the CDC that can help you and your loved ones stay informed on the coronavirus. You may also reach the CDC-INFO Contact Center at 800-232-4636 (800-CDC-INFO) and view a fact sheet from the CDC on what you need to know about coronavirus disease here.

Symptoms

The CDC has reported that “illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).”

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

You can read more about symptoms here.

You can learn more about what to do if you are sick here.

Protecting Yourself & Others

Know How it Spreads

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
    • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
    • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should

Clean Your Hands Often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid Close Contact

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

  • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
    • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

  • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantexternal icon will work.

Actions Taken by Congresswoman Bustos’ Office

In response to the coronavirus, Congresswoman Bustos’ office has conducted outreach to every hospital in the district, the Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, every County Health Department in the district and numerous Community Health Centers. The Congresswoman has also been closely engaged with Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in order to better help her advocate for the district at the federal level.

Congresswoman Bustos has also helped pass five pieces of legislation in response to the coronavirus. The five bills are Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, and the Heroes Act.

To lift up stories from the community, Congresswoman Bustos has tapped into her roots as a former investigative reporter and interviewed individuals to learn more about what they’ve done in response to the coronavirus.

Click here to watch an interview with a Rockford nurse working in the COVID-19 unit.

Click here for a conversation with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul about common COVID-19 scams and how Illinoisans can avoid them.

Click here to watch an interview with Dr. John Vozenilek, Chief Medical Officer for Digital Health and Innovation at OSF HealthCare in Peoria.

Click here to watch an interview with Carol Merna, CEO of the Center for Prevention of Abuse.

Click here to watch an interview with Congressmember Karen Bass, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Click here to watch an interview with Jakobs Family Farms.