COVID-19 Community Resources
The Walnut Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Walnut Rotary Club for putting this excellent information piece together.
CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE:
FEVER, COUGH, TROUBLE BREATHING, OR OTHER FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS THAT ARE NOT BETTER OR ARE WORSENING AFTER 24-48 HOURS.
FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19, YOU CAN CALL THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 HOTLINE AT 1-800-889-3931 OR EMAIL DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE HOTLINE DOES NOT MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE TESTED FOR COVID-19.
CGH CLINIC (WALNUT): 379-2161
(Walnut Clinic is closed. Patients will be sent to Prophetstown Clinic.)
PERRY MEMORIAL CLINIC: 379-2020
In these times of “social distancing”, the Governor has issued an Executive Order increasing accessing to “TELEHEALTH” services, requiring insurance companies to “cover all costs associated with Telehealth Services…and shall not impose any cost-sharing (co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance) for Telehealth Services provided by in-network providers.” However, if a patient has not met his/her deductible, the insurance company is not required to pay for the Telehealth Services unless deemed “preventative care” as defined by the US Treasury, which includes testing, treatment and any potential vaccination.
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS LAUNCHED A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF THE STATE’S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Now is the time to turn toward each other. We are here to help each other out, so avoid being a do-it-yourselfer when you’re not qualified. Grab some other clear-thinking person to ask what she thinks or what he would do about stockpiling food, or taking that plane trip, or talking to little Billy about what’s going on with grandma in the hospital and his school being closed. You may choose not to follow the advice you seek, but it’s essential to have other perspectives.
If the person is uncomfortable making a call to ask for help from a credit card company, bank, utility, landlord, offer to make the call with them. (It is critical that the person actually requesting the assistance – particularly from financial institutions – be present. The customer representative will likely need authorization from its customer to speak with you.)
Unemployed:
*** Illinois Department of Employment Security is offering assistance to employees without access to sick leave or who are unable to work due to CoVid19.
Phone: 1-800-244-5631
Website: www2.illinois.gov/ides
The governor's executive order waives the 7-day waiting period for residents to apply for unemployment benefits, meaning anyone who qualifies can file and become immediately eligible instead of experiencing a week-long lag during this challenging time. Gov. Pritzker is working with the federal delegation and congressional leadership to push the Trump administration to allow the state to increase the length of benefits beyond 26 weeks as this crisis continues to provide significant fiscal challenges for Illinois families.
Food:
See attached list of Food Pantries in the area. Also note the following:
***Bureau County Senior Center Food Bank (Princeton) 815-879-3981
***Walnut Community Food Pantry 815-379-2492
*** Project Success of Eastern Bureau County (Spring Valley) 815-663-2085
WYANET FOOD PANTRY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Sheffield Community Center: Offering free meals to those 80 or older or housebound.
M, W, & F 11 – 12 noon.
Delivery also available.
Bureau Valley Schools are providing meals for children up to the age of 18. Distribution times and locations, FAQs follow.
WHERE AND WHEN CAN I PICK UP THESE MEALS?
Buda - Bus Stop (Younggren Center)
Manlius - High School Front Door
Sheffield - Bus Stop (United Church of Christ)
Walnut - Elementary School a.m. parent drop off circle
Wyanet - Elementary School a.m. parent drop off circle
WHEN CAN I PICK UP THESE MEALS?
Meals can be picked up at each site from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We ask that people pick up one bag per child in their care and immediately leave the site.
WHAT IF I CAN’T GET TO THE SITE?
Call your students' building between the hours of 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.:
Bureau Valley High School 445-4004
Bureau Valley Junior High/Elementary 445-2121
Bureau Valley Elementary – Wyanet 699-7046
Bureau Valley Elementary 379-2900
Local Food Pantries listed on additional sheet.
Walnut Acres Country Store (will deliver in Walnut)
Phone: 379-9662
Mortgages/Rent: MANY MORTGAGE COMPANIES/BANKS ARE GRANTING TEMPORARY RELIEF TO LOAN HOLDERS. Reach out to your bank or landlord to discuss your situation. Be polite and reasonable. Be prepared to discuss how you intend to pay your mortgage/rent. In these times, it is very likely that the other person will work with you.
Utilities:
*** Governor Pritkzer has called for a moratorium (halt) to all utility shutoffs.
*** ComEd is taking action to help its customers with payment assistance programs and by imposing a moratorium on service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1
*** Nicor Gas voluntarily has suspended service disconnections for non-payment, effective immediately for both residential and commercial customers through May 1.
*** Ameren is suspending all disconnections for non-payment and forgiving any late payment fees for residential and business customers.
*** Verizon will waive late fees for 60 days from March 16, 2020 to May 16, 2020, and will not terminate service to a customer who's been impacted by the events involving the Coronavirus.
***AT&T is suspending broadband usage caps for home internet customers (no overage fees while people are home using more data). AT&T won’t terminate service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer due to an inability to pay their bill as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and is waiving late payment fees for those customers.
*** Mediacom is pausing its data allowances until May 15th so no customer will have to worry about overage charges related to unexpected increases in data usage and providing complimentary access to all Mediacom Xtream Wi-Fi Hotspots where they are available.
***Frontier website shows no programs for CoVid-19 relief for customers.
*** Comcast/Xfinity: Data plans have been paused. WiFi hotspots are available to anyone who needs them for free during the COVID-19 national emergency, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers:
Go online to wifi.xfinity.com
Use 'Find a Hotspot' and enter your city or zip code
Go to location of hotspot
*** Sprint:
Providing Unlimited data for 60 days to customers with metered data plans (effective 3/18)
Giving 20 GB of free mobile hotspot to customers with hotspot-capable devices (effective 3/18)
Waiving per-minute toll charges for international long-distance calls from the U.S. to CDC- defined Level 3 countries (effective 3/17)
*** Illinois Valley Cellular: Customers who need assistance with paying their bill or experiencing financial hardship can contact Customer Service by dialing 611 from their device or on its website (www.ivcel.com) for payment options.
Tri-County Opportunities Council (Princeton office) offers assistance with electric bills and rent. The office is closed until March 312t, but you can leave a message.
Phone: 800-323-5434
United Way: DIAL 2-1-1 for help with:
Basic Human Needs: such as food, shelter, rent and utility assistance
Physical and Mental Health Resources: such as health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, medical information lines, crisis intervention services
Employment Supports: such as job training, transportation assistance, education programs
Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: such as adult day care, respite care, home health care, independent living programs
Support for Children, Youth and Families: such as afterschool programs, family resource centers, mentoring, tutoring, protective services
2-1-1 call specialists are available 24/7 to help individuals locate health and human services.
Seniors:
The Illinois Department on Aging offers a Senior Helpline: 1-800-252-8966.
Village of Walnut – Well check program
Phone: 379-2351
Bureau County Senior Center (Princeton) Closed to public, but fully staffed.
Phone: 815-879-3981
Bureau County Transit (BPART)
Offers free and significantly reduced fee public transportation by van to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, work.
Phone: 815-874-8813
*** Social Security offices are closed. Staff remain available for calls to local offices:
Sterling: 1-866-789-1093
Peru: 1-855-245-0640
Senior Shopping Hours – Please see attached materials.
MANY OF THESE STORES OFFER ONLINE ODERING AND CURBSIDE PICK-UP. (Wait time at pick-up may be longer than usual.)
All Dollar General 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., 7 days a week
All Walmart – March 24- April 28
1 hour prior to opening every TUESDAY, reserved for 60+ customers.
Pharmacy open.
Hy-Vee: The reserved hour will be from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week, and is designed for these customers: Ages 60 and older, expectant mothers and anyone with an underlying health condition(s) that makes him/her more susceptible to serious illness. Pharmacies in most Hy-Vee locations will also be extending their hours so they can serve this group of customers from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. (Hy-Vee’s new store hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Also offers online ordering and curbside pickup.
County Market (Sterling): 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. reserved for 60+ and at risk individuals. Both Sterling and Dixon stores offer online ordering and curbside pickup.\
Sullivan’s (Princeton): Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Kroger: No Senior Hours set.
All Target: First hour of shopping reserved for seniors.
Veterans:
Veterans of Foreign Wars (Wyanet) 815-699-2275
From the US Department of Veterans Affairs website:
Any Veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility.
Alternatively, Veterans can sign into My HealtheVet to send a secure message to VA or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.
Faith-Based: MANY CHURCHES HAVE CANCELLED SERVICE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CHURCH FOR DETAILS.
See attached list of area churches. Also note the following:
First United Church of Christ 815-454-2786
Sheffield United Methodist Church 815-454-2539
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 815-454-8062
First Christian Church (Pastor Brian Moore) 379-2093
New Bedford Christian Church (Pastor Brian Moore) 445-4663
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Pastor Brian Heller) 379-2839
St. John’s Catholic Church (Father Tom Shaw) 379-2602
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Ohio) (Father Tom Shaw) 376-4074
Walnut United Methodist Church (Pastor David Poust) 379-3062
Walnut Community Bible Church (Pastor Eldon Cook) 379-2645
Financial Assistance: Federal and Illinois legislators are working to develop and put into place a financial assistance program for all Americans.
*** The IRS has extended the tax deadline (April 15) for 90 days. This postponement also applies to estimated taxes due on April 15, 2020.
*** Townships often have funds available for residents experiencing financial difficulty.
Contact local township official shown on additional sheet.
*** Evangelical Covenant Church offers financial assistance to cover basic needs. Requires Tri-County Opportunities Council referral. Phone: 815-875-2124
*** Princeton Ministerial Association offers financial assistance to cover basic needs.
Requires Tri-County Opportunities Council referral. Phone: 815-875-1685
Financial Assistance for Small Businesses:
As of Wednesday, March 18th, Illinois has been declared eligible for the SBA’s federal emergency loan program, through which the SBA is directly making funds available to eligible small businesses who do not have existing access to working capital in order to help ease the economic impact of the Coronavirus.
Based on the currently available SBA information, here is how the process works:
Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to Coronavirus.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
For updates on the program and for more information on how to apply, visit: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
BARS AND RESTAURANTS: The Governor has announced that there is in place a 2-month delay for payment of sales tax and that late filing fees and interest will be waived for bars and restaurants employing 20 or fewer employees.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced several proactive measures to help professional licensees and education providers in light of the challenges confronting all Illinoisans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the limitation of in-person course availability and to further reduce contact between individuals, the Department has issued a series of variances that provide relief from the provisions of certain Administrative Rules pertaining to license renewal terms and to continuing education requirements.
Any professional licenses issued by the Department that have renewal dates between March 1, 2020 through and including July 31, 2020 are granted an automatic extension to renew to September 30, 2020. Additionally, all current licensees under the Department's jurisdiction whose license renewal deadlines fall within the period beginning March 1, 2020 through and including July 31, 2020 shall have up to, and including, September 30, 2020 to complete their continuing education coursework. The Department is also allowing licensees to complete their continuing education coursework without requiring live attendance and permit for interactive webinar and online distance education courses in addition to currently permitted methods. These and all Departmental licensees must continue to comply with all pertinent provisions of their respective licensing Acts.
Financial Institutions: MANY MORTGAGE COMPANIES/BANKS ARE GRANTING TEMPORARY RELIEF TO LOAN HOLDERS. CHECK WITH YOUR MORTGAGE HOLDER FOR DETAILS ABOUT AVAILABLE RELIEF.
*** Ally.com:
For the next 120 days, Ally is waiving fees for overdrafts, excessive transactions for savings and money market accounts, and expedited shipping of checks and debit cards.
Auto loans: You can defer your payment for up to 120 days. During this time, finance charges will accrue, but you won't be charged any late fees. Starting March 20, you'll be able to log in at ally.com/auto to defer your payments. If you need help today, call Ally at 1-888-925-2559 any time before 10 pm ET. Ally is also deferring payments for new auto financing, so the first payment isn't due for 90 days.
Home loans: If you're facing financial hardship due to an interruption in your income, Ally can defer your Ally Home payments for up to 120 days. During this time, interest will accrue, but you won't be charged any late fees or have impacts to your credit. If you need to start this process, call Ally at 1-866-401-4742.
*** Citibank:
For eligible Credit Card Customers: Credit line increases and collection forbearance programs.
For eligible Mortgage Customers: A range of hardship programs through its’ service provider, Cenlar FSB. Please contact them at 1-800-2CENLAR (1-800-223-6527) Monday-Friday 8:30am - 8pm ET and Saturday 8:30am - 5pm ET
*** CapitalOne: Customers who find themselves facing financial difficulties, call 1-800-227-4825.
*** Visa: No respite noted on website.
*** Streator Onized Credit Union (SOCU): Contact the SOCU Member Service Center (8:00 am-5 pm Monday-Friday and 8:00 am-3 pm Saturdays) at 815-673-5577 or 800-595-2454 with any concerns or financial challenges.
*** Bank of America:
Consumer and Small Business deposit accounts: clients can request refunds including overdraft fees, non-sufficient funds fees, and monthly maintenance fees.
Consumer and Small Business credit cards: clients can request to defer payments, refunds on late fees.
Small business loans: clients can request to defer payments, refunds on late fees.
Auto loans: clients can request to defer payments, with payments added to the end of the loan.
Mortgages and home equity: clients can request to defer payments, with payments added to the end of the loan.
In all of these instances, there will be no negative credit bureau reporting for up-to-date clients.
We have also paused foreclosure sales, evictions and repossessions.
*** BMO Harris: BMO has introduced a financial relief program for those impacted by COVID-19. The financial relief program is tailored to each individual’s circumstances and needs and could include: deferral of payments on mortgages, deferral of payments on loans and credit cards and fee waivers on loans, credits cards and deposit accounts. The program also includes accommodations for BMO Small Business and Business Banking clients. Call 1-800-888-8586 to speak with a BMO representative.
Pharmacies:
*** CVS offering free delivery of prescriptions and some items.
***Walgreens is offering free delivery of prescriptions and some items.
Families with school children:
List of free online activities and scholastic resources available at www.kidsactivities.com.
*** Kahn Academy (kahnacademy.org) is having daily (weekdays) 9am PST/12 EST live streams on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for students, parents and teachers navigating school closures. It also offers:
Detailed daily schedules for students ages 4 to 18 that parents, teachers and district administrators can use to keep students learning at home. (http://khan.co/KA-school-closure-schedule)
Webinars for parents and teachers to help them continue student learning at home.
Khan Academy is exploring ways to further support students, parents and teachers with live “office hours” and mechanisms to answer academic and logistical questions.
*** Disney/Khan Academy: “Imagineering in a Box” free, online and interactive learning for youth.
www.familyeducation.com offers free learning resources for parents with kids at home.
*** qns.com offers links to numerous online learning opportunities for schoolchildren of all ages.
*** Scholastic.com offers free online learning experiences. To access Scholastic Learn At Home, visit: http://www.scholastic.com/learnathome
*** Walnut Public Library: Download Axis 360 app to search and check out ebooks.
*** BookBub.com offers free and low-cost ebooks.
Virtual Field Trips:
www.travelandleisure.com › Attractions › Museums + Galleries
www.adventuresinfamilyhood.com
Bureau County Courts: From the office of H. Chris Ryan Jr., chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit:
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, through Thursday, April 30, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the following cases and court proceedings are postponed:
• All non-emergency civil court appearances, including civil jury trials, probate, small claims, family court, child support, law and law magistrate, chancery, tax cases, miscellaneous remedy cases and adoptions.
• Traffic cases (TR, DT).
• Misdemeanor cases (CM).
• Juvenile cases (except as outlined below).
• Marriages (not currently scheduled as of March 18).
• Courthouse tours.
The following court proceedings will be held as scheduled, with appearances expected for all litigants unless travel or health appearance waivers apply (see below):
• All matters with individuals in custody.
• Criminal felony matters (CF).
• Juvenile temporary custody (shelter care) (JA).
• Juvenile detention hearings (JD).
• Petitions for emergency orders of protection (OP, D, F).
• Hearings for plenary orders of protection (OP, D, F).
• Emergency hearings on family matters (D and F cases) as scheduled by the court.
• Hearings on petitions to rescind summary suspensions.
• Grand jury proceedings.
• Grundy County Mental Health Court.
• Grundy County Drug Court.
Prospective petit jurors: A trial by jury is a constitutional right and as such, a court cannot function without jurors. Therefore, the 13th Judicial Circuit (LaSalle, Bureau and Grundy counties) will continue to summon jurors.
Bureau County Health Department:
Hector Gomez, administrator of the Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments, has announced a temporary change in services at the Health Department offices in Princeton, Hennepin and Lacon.
These changes will take effect at the end of business on Friday, March 20.
• Routine lab draws are suspended, effective immediately.
• The dental clinic in Princeton is closed, effective immediately.
• Immunizations are suspended, effective immediately.
• Unless deemed high priority, food inspections will be limited.
• Review and issuance of well and septic permits and outdoor inspections will continue.
• The Food Class set for April 8 will be rescheduled to another date to be announced.
• WIC services will be adjusted to reduce travel and exposure. Clients should call the WIC office for services instead of coming to the office. Coupons will be distributed curbside — call ahead. The WIC Office numbers are Bureau County, 815-879-0341; Putnam County, 815-925-7326; and Marshall County, 309-246-8074.
