If you have experienced a loss of electricity due to Monday’s storm, follow the tips below from the Department of Homeland Security:

Staying cool:
• Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
• Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
• Avoid high-energy activities.
• Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Protecting yourself and others:
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling. 

Check on neighbors.

Throwing away spoiled food:

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. 

Medication:

If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.

See more tips here: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages and continue to call ComEd and 311 for updates.

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is allocating funds to renters and homeowners who have been financially affected by COVID-19. If your residents are unable to pay their rent or mortgage due to COVID-19, they may be eligible for relief funds.

For more information, click here.

Rental assistance up to $5,000. Applications open from August 10-21.
(May close sooner based on number of applicants)

Mortgage assistance up to $15,000. Applications open August 24.
(First come first served)

NCICG's COVID-19 Response Team:

Cole Horner Elisabeth Behnam
c (815) 303-6244 c (815) 303-6255
w (815) 433-5830 w (815) 433-5830
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

North Central Illinois Council of Governments
613 West Marquette Street
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Phone 815-433-5830

New Callback only Model at the Illinois Department of Employment Security

Effective July 9, 2020, we have implemented the “callback only model” as a temporary solution to effectively honor the order in which callers attempt to reach the call center for assistance. This new model will be in effect for the following call centers: Claimant Services Center (800.244.5631), IllinoisJobLink.com (877.342.7533), Benefit Payment Control (800.814.0513) and Employer Hotline (800.247.4984). What this means to you is that rather than wait on hold or call multiple times, you will receive a call when you are next in line without losing your place.

When you call us, it is important that you select the appropriate numeric option that best describes the reason for your call. This ensures that you will be served in the order that we receive your call. You will be called back Monday through Friday. Call back hours are as follows:

Claimant Services Center- 7:30 AM -7:00 PM
IllinoisJobLink.com, Benefit Payment Control and Employer Hotline- 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

You can only have a single pending callback scheduled in the system at a time. The call you receive from IDES should display on Caller ID as 800-244-5631 under normal circumstances. In certain cases, this number could be blocked by your phone carrier.

It is important that you answer the phone when the callback is made. If you miss your callback, IDES staff will attempt to leave you a voice mail. We will call you again shortly after the first attempt. If you cannot be reached after the second attempt, you will be required to contact the call center to schedule another callback.