COVID-19 resources for Decatur citizens

Below are resources that may be helpful to Decatur citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic including addressing immediate health, food, and housing needs; mental health resources; ways to help those in need; resources for seniors, veterans, those who have lost their jobs, and small businesses; news about city services and government; and information on the pandemic at the state and national level. 

Be well and please don’t hesitate to reach out and seek assistance.

ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE HEALTH, FOOD AND HOUSING CONCERNS

For COVID-19 screening, Decatur Memorial Hospital’s respiratory care line is 217-876-1200, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital’s COVID-19 hotline is 217-464-2966, and Crossing Healthcare can be reached at 217-877-9117.

For those who need assistance with food, childcare, paying bills, or other essential services, one can also call 211 or 888-865-9903.  Dialing 211 is a free, confidential community resource available anytime.  The United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois also has developed a resources page (https://uwdecatur.org/COVID-19). 

The state of Illinois launched a “Call4Calm” Program.  Text keywords such as “Food”, “Shelter”, and “Unemployment” to 552020 for free information.

Local food panties include: 1) Good Samaritan Inn - Lunch meal (everyday 11 AM-1 PM), 920 N. Union St. and food bank packages (Wednesday 11 AM-4PM), Richland Community College main entrance; 2) Catholic Charities (Monday-Wednesday 9-11 AM), 247 W. Prairie Ave.; and 3) Northeast Community Fund (Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday 9 AM-2 PM), 839 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

If one has immediate housing needs, please contact Homeward Bound at 217-706-6614. 

The Macon County Crisis Communications Team provides daily information for what to do if one is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 including social distancing.  Please refer to their daily Joint COVID-19 Press Releases (https://www.maconcountyhealth.org/covid19/). 

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Heritage Behavioral Health Center have crisis workers available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  They can be reached by calling 217-362-6262 and dialing 1 for a crisis worker (https://www.heritagenet.org/). 

Memorial Behavioral Health is operating a hotline from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily for those experience stress and anxiety associated with the pandemic.  The hotline phone number is 217-588-5509. 

The Illinois Department of Human Services has created a free and anonymous resource, Call4Calm, for individuals experiencing stress from COVID-19.  Text “TALK” to 552020.  Individuals will receive a call from a counselor from one of 62 community mental health centers. 

To access the Crisis Text Line, Text: HOME to 741741.  Veterans can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, TEXT: 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Tips for social distancing and isolation have been prepared by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (https://afsp.org/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-in-the-face-of-uncertainty/?mc_cid=87f848e5b2&mc_eid=e93b0c0e8f). 

The CDC has created a website for managing stress and anxiety (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fcoping.html&mc_cid=87f848e5b2&mc_eid=e93b0c0e8f). 

Information on maintaining mental health during uncertain times is provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.org/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-in-the-face-of-uncertainty/?mc_cid=87f848e5b2&mc_eid=e93b0c0e8f, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255). 

Other important resources include the National Alliance on Mental Health (https://nami.org/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus), Mental Health America (https://mhanational.org/covid19?mc_cid=87f848e5b2&mc_eid=e93b0c0e8f), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (https://www.samhsa.gov/coronavirus). 

HELPING THOSE IN NEED

Many organizations need volunteers to assist including Good Samaritan Inn (https://www.goodsamaritaninn.org/, 217-429-1455), Northeast Community Fund (https://www.northeastcommunityfund.org/, 217-429-5846), and Catholic Charities (217-428-6772). 

The American Red Cross is in urgent need of individuals to donate blood.  For an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit https://RedCrossBlood.org.  Blood drives are taking place on Tuesdays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 2674 N. Main St.

DOVE is asking for homemade facial coverings for use by its clients in the Homeward Bound program.  Masks can be placed in a zip lock bag and delivered to 788 E. Clay St. from 9-11 AM or 1-3 PM, Monday-Thursday. 

Decatur Memorial Hospital is accepting donations of medical supplies and homemade masks.  Donations will be accepted Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 

The Caring Community Clearinghouse provides regular updates on organizations that are in need of assistance and how you can help (https://www.facebook.com/caringcommunityclearinghouse/). 

To support local businesses, you can purchase gift cards.  A list of many Decatur businesses selling gift cards has been compiled (https://localbusiness.lee.net/herald-and-review). 

To support restaurants during this time, a guide to restaurants offering delivery, curbside, and drive-thru services has been created (https://www.decaturchamber.com/city-of-decatur-restaurant-status-guide/?fl_builder). 

The Community Foundation of Macon County has created an Emergency Response Fund (https://www.maconcountygives.org/macon-county-emergency-response-fund). 

RESOURCES FOR SENIORS AND VETERANS

The Decatur-Macon County Senior Center has an RUOK program for seniors.  The senior center will call homebound individuals in Decatur and Macon County over the age of 55 Monday – Friday to check on their well-being.  To sign-up for this free service, please call 217-429-1239. 

A list of stores that have special hours for shopping by those at most risk to COVID-19 was compiled by the Herald & Review (https://herald-review.com/news/local/here-s-a-list-of-decatur-stores-with-hours-for/article_91fa68fe-a799-56bd-b1ef-392b457fb789.html).

Honorably discharged veterans are eligible for $100 gift cards to assist with groceries, gas, and other necessities through Help 4 Heroes.  For more information, contact the Veterans Assistance Commission of Macon County (217-424-1376). 

INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS

The Illinois Department of Employment Security has adopted emergency rules that allow unemployment benefits for some individuals who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/default.aspx). 

Workers who are self-employed, freelancers, or independent contractors can apply for pandemic unemployment assistance (https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200405). 

The city of Decatur issued a statement regarding the impact of the pandemic to Decatur businesses and employees.  The statement includes links for expedited unemployment benefits and small business assistance (https://www.decaturil.gov/city-of-decatur-coronavirus-business-impact-update/).

SMALL BUSINESSES

The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce (https://www.decaturchamber.com/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/) and the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County ((https://www.decaturedc.com/covid-19/) have comprehensive lists of resources for businesses impacted by the pandemic.

CITY SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT

The city of Decatur has compiled a list of resources and is regularly publishing Community COVID-19 Updates.  These update videos provide information on city services and any changes to city operations during the health emergency (https://insight.livestories.com/s/v2/city-of-decatur-il-covid-19-resources-page/9fe6808f-dd86-432d-aaab-1716c7e71e3e).

The city of Decatur continues to provide public services during the pandemic.  Decatur City Hall and Civic Center are closed, and city business is encouraged to be conducted via phone or electronically (https://www.decaturil.gov/city-hall-civic-center-closed-to-the-public-starting-march-19-2020/). 

Bus fares will not be collected during the pandemic.  Riders will enter and exit buses using the rear side doors unless the lift mechanism at the front of the bus is required.  Riders are required to wear a mask on the bus. 

The city has suspended all water service disconnections for non-payment during the emergency and implemented a waiver and suspension of late fees and penalties for water bills. 

Ameren has suspended service disconnections for non-payment and will forgive late fees for non-payment as described on the Ameren website (https://www.ameren.com/account/customer-service/covid-19).  The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides funding assistance for those having challenges paying their bills.  For more information visit IllinoisLIHEAP.com or 877-411-9276. 

The city of Decatur is suspending enforcement of time limited parking in public parking lots, alleyways and streets in the downtown area through May 31 (http://www.nowdecatur.com/2020/03/30/city-of-decatur-suspends-downtown-parking-enforcement/).  Citations will continue to be issued for parking illegally in areas such as no parking zones, handicapped zones, in front of hydrants, etc.

On Lake Decatur, citizens residing in the same household will be permitted on the same watercraft simultaneously.  Otherwise, the state will allow no more than two individuals per watercraft. 

On March 23, the Mayor signed a proclamation and declaration of a public health emergency in Decatur.  This will allow for prompt actions by the city to help Decatur citizens residents. 

STATE, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

State-specific information about COVID-19 can be found on the state’s website (https://coronavirus.illinois.gov) and the state maintains the Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline to answer questions about the Coronavirus at 1-800-889-3931. 

Comprehensive information about the Coronavirus including how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you are sick is provided by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html). 

The World Health Organization is an excellent resource for learning more about the impact of COVID-19 on a global scale (https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1).

OTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST

Recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in grocery stores is provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Page 3 provides recommendations for general public (https://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18476).

The state of Illinois has expanded the Child Care Assistance Program.  This expansion will provide state assistance with child care for workers that are performing jobs deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic (Help at Home link, http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123529).