Queridos Amigos,

Estamos en la plenitud del verano y la intensidad de la pandemia esta comenzando a dar la vuelta a la esquina -aunque no hay duda de que algunas personas siguen sufriendo para obtener lo básico. Encuentre aquí información sobre asistencia financiera al pago de renta y para nuestros hijos, y algunas actualizaciones sobre el próximo año escolar y algunos eventos.

También entérese de mis últimas noticias siguiéndome en Facebook y Twitter, y siempre puede llamar a mi oficina marcando al 773-278-2020, o a través de mi sitio de internet.

Sinceramente,

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Senadora Estatal | Distrito 20

Última oportunidad para solicitar ayuda del Programa de Pagos de Renta de Illinois

El domingo 18 de julio es el último día para solicitar ayuda al Programa de Pagos de Renta de Illinois (ILRPP). El programa provee asistencia de emergencia a hogares en Illinois que no han podido cubrir su renta debido a la pandemia de COVID-19, y la parte de la solicitud que corresponde al inquino está disponible. Usted podría recibir hasta $25,000 en asistencia para el pago de renta sin importar su estatus migratorio, y esta ayuda no se considera un “benéfico público.”

Para obtener más información llene su solicitud en el sitio de internet de la Autoridad de Desarrollo para la Vivienda de Illinois

El crédito fiscal a los hijos llegará pronto a las cuentas bancarias

contribuyentes que tienen hijos y que presentaron sus declaraciones de impuestos de 2019 y 2020. Los pagos variarán de $2,000 a $3,600 por niño, la mitad de los pagos llegarán como depósitos automáticos mensuales.

Si no presentó su declaración de impuestos en 2019 o 2020, usted sigue siendo elegible para recibir esta ayuda utilizando el siguiente recurso Non-Filer Sign Up. Quienes tengan un número ITIN también son elegibles para recibir estos pagos.

Puede obtener más información sobre el Crédito Fiscal para los Hijos en ChildTaxCredit.gov.

Academia Virtual para estudiantes medicamente frágiles de las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago

Al tiempo que muchos estudiantes planean retornar a la escuela cinco días a la semana, se anticipa que un número pequeño de niños seguirán aprendiendo de forma remota debido a sus necesidades médicas, que deben verificadas por un proveedor de cuidados médicos. Para apoyar a estos estudiantes, CPS lanzó la Academia Virtual: un modelo central de instrucción remota.

Los estudiantes que cumplan con los criterios para ser considerados como medicamente frágiles y que deseen enrolarse en la Academia Virtual pueden solicitarlo pidiéndole al proveedor médico con licencia que los atiende que someta la forma de Elegibilidad de Salud COVID-19.

Más información sobre la academia virtual de CPS y cómo solicitar el ingreso se puede encontrar en el sitio de internet de CPS.

Eventos en la comunidad

Haz el Verano Tuyo con las Bibliotecas Públicas de Chicago: los niños y adolescentes pueden registrarse a los programas de Arte en las Bibliotecas Públicas de Chicago en línea para comenzar de inmediato, o vaya a una biblioteca antes del 22 de agosto.  

Summer 2021 Lot Jams: ¿Lo que prefieres es la música? La Comisión de North River está auspiciando una serie de conciertos gratuitos al aire libre en Albany Park. ¡Revise las fechas abajo!

Evento de vacunación, regreso a la escuela y mercado el 14 de agosto: Con el regreso a clases, vacunarse es la mejor forma de mantener a los estudiantes y sus familias saludables. Voy a ofrecer en conjunto con el representante estatal Guzzardi, y la Asociación Nacional de Enfermeras Hispanas, un evento de verano donde ofreceremos vacunas y útiles escolares, así como comida y actividades. Más información aquí. 

Para leer en español, haz click aqui.

Dear Friends,

Summer is in full swing and the intensity of the pandemic is beginning to turn the corner – yet there’s no doubt some people are still struggling to make ends meet. I’m here to help. Keep reading to learn about financial assistance for rent and children as well as some updates on the upcoming school year and events.

You can also always get the latest by following me Facebook and Twitter, and as always you can reach out to my office at 773-278-2020 or on my website.

Sincerely,

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, State Senator | 20^th District

Last Chance to apply for Illinois Rental Payment Program

Sunday, July 18 is the last day to apply for the Illinois Rental Payment Program. ILRPP is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tenant-led portion of the application is now open. You could be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in rental assistance regardless of immigration status, and the grant is not considered a “public charge” benefit.

Get more information and fill out the application on the Illinois Housing Development Authority website.

Federal Child Tax Credit to hit bank accounts soon

Starting Thursday, July 15, the IRS will start depositing payments into bank accounts of those who have children and filed taxes in 2019 and 2020. Payments will range from $2,000 to $3,600 per child, with half the payments coming in the form of automatic monthly deposits.

If you did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020, you are still eligible to receive these payments by utilizing the Non-Filer Sign Up. Those with ITINs are also eligible for these payments.

You can get more information on the Child Tax Credit at ChildTaxCredit.gov.

Chicago Public Schools Virtual Academy for medically fragile students

While many students plan to return to school five days a week, we anticipate that a small subset of children will need to continue remote learning based on medical needs verified by a healthcare provider. To support these students, CPS is launching Virtual Academy: a central model of remote instruction.

Students who meet the medical fragility requirements and want to enroll in the virtual academy may apply by having a licensed medical provider submit the COVID-19 Health Eligibility form.

More information on the CPS’ Virtual Academy and how to apply can be found on the CPS website.

Events in the community

Make Summer Yours with Chicago Public Libraries: Kids and teens can register for the Start with Art drop-in programs through Chicago Public Libraries! Register online to get started right away or come into the library through August 22. 

Summer 2021 Lot Jams: Is music more your scene? The North River Commission is hosting a series of free outdoor concerts in Albany Park. Check out the dates below!

August 14 Back-to-School vaccine clinic and Mercado: As kids return to school, getting vaccinated is the best way to keep students and their families safe. I, along with State Rep. Guzzardi and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses will be holding a summer fair offering vaccines and school supplies as well as food and activities. More event details here.

Para leer en español, haz click aqui.

I hope you and your family are enjoying the first few weeks of summer!

Below, you’ll find a few important state service updates that might interest you, including information on how to apply for rental assistance, get a discount on internet services and protect yourself against identity theft.

My staff and I are ready to help you navigate these programs, as well as address any other questions or concerns you may have about issues facing our community. I encourage you to reach out to us at (773) 278-2020 or my website.

Stay cool!

Sincerely,

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, State Senator | 20^th District

Illinois Rental Payment Program open to renters

The Illinois Rental Payment Program offers up to $25,000 or 15 months of assistance to households in Illinois that are behind on rent due to pandemic-related job or wage losses. In order to qualify, tenants and housing providers must submit a joint application with proof of financial hardship as a direct or indirect result of the pandemic. The period for landlords to initiate an application is now closed, but renters can begin the application process starting Monday, June 28. Apply by July 18, and earn more at IHDA.org/ILRPP.

Fee-based license suspensions and holds to be lifted July 1

Starting July 1, Illinois will no longer suspend a license for any ticket debt, fines or fees, including parking tickets, red-light camera tickets and abandoned vehicle fees. If your license is currently suspended or revoked due to a failure to pay a fee, it will be reinstated automatically for free by July 1. However, if there were multiple reasons for the hold on your record, your license may still be invalid—call the secretary of state’s hotline at 217-212-6212 to check.

Internet service discounts available for low-income families

More than 1.1 million Illinoisans lack access to at-home internet services, which can be a barrier to education and employment. To help close the digital divide, the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit program offers a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible low-income households, plus a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. Apply now at FCC.gov/BroadbandBenefit or call 833-511-0311.

Beware of texts, emails soliciting personal information

Over the last several weeks, people across Illinois and the country have reported an uptick in scammers claiming to be from state agencies to steal personal information. Protect yourself from fraud: Never give out your Social Security number or banking information via text or email, and don’t click links contained in suspicious messages. If you have questions about phishing scams or identity theft, call the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotline at 800-386-5438 or visit FTC.gov/consumer.

Three major rating agencies upgrade Illinois’ financial outlook

Recently, Fitch Ratings became the third rating agency to bump up Illinois’ credit, promoting our state’s outlook on Illinois’ General Obligation bonds from negative to positive. Another major credit rating agency, Moody’s Investor Services, also changed Illinois’ rating to positive. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to repay outstanding loans and drive down the bill backlog—even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we passed two balanced budgets and stuck to the path of fiscal responsibility. I’m proud to announce these efforts are paying off. Read more about what this means for Illinois.

Chicago Early Learning - Enrollment Outreach and Recruitment

Children First Fund - in partnership with Chicago Public School’s Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) - seeks to partner with community-serving organizations in Chicago interested in promoting enrollment in Chicago Early Learning (CEL) programs across their community and supporting families in the application process. Applicants should be rooted in one of the 26 target communities, identified on page three of the application, which have had historically low rates of enrollment in CPS early childhood programs.

Interested organizations across multiple sectors (health, social service, food pantries, mutual aid, etc.) are invited to apply for funds up to $16,000 to implement innovative, community-level strategies to increase applications to CEL programs in their communities. For more information on the opportunity and a link to the application, click here.

COVID-19 Funeral Assitance

FEMA is amending the agency’s COVID-19 funeral assistance policy to assist with COVID-19 related fatalities that occurred in the early months of the pandemic. Individuals who would like to apply for assistance should call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline toll free, at 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday. More information on COVID-19 Funeral Assistance can be found here.