Mayor's COVID-19 Community Task Force - Meeting Notes January 15, 2021 What's On My Mind (Mayor Steve Hagerty) - City of Evanston
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Mayor’s COVID-19 Community Task Force
Meeting Notes
January 15, 2021
What’s On My Mind (Mayor Steve Hagerty)
● The vaccination rollout plan and how the City will get supplies distributed quickly is
important
● News from Washington, DC has revealed Biden’s proposal submitted before Congress to
address pertinent issues
● Hospitalizations have increased 70% from the height of recorded metrics in the Spring
● The variant in the UK has been detected in the United States. Public Health officials
anticipate the transmission rate will increase substantially
● The City as a whole, needs to determine response and recovery
Brief Prior Day's Situation Report (Mayor Steve Hagerty)
● Region 10 reflects slightly less than 10% positivity rate. No increase in the last seven days
● The medical and surge capacity remain at the minimum threshold of 20%
● The infection rate has increased slightly to 1.1%
● The seven day moving average is 25 cases
● The positivity rate has decreased to 1.84%
● Northwestern cases are showing a positivity rate of 1.0% or less. Seventeen students
tested positive
● There was an upward trend in the number of tests performed
● There have been 162 new cases since last week. 3,352 cases in Evanston
● The fatality rate has decreased to 3%
● Evanston’s hospital capacity is fine
● Long term care and congregate housing facilities are well
● The City has received 5,225 vaccination doses, and distribution status will be added to the
situation report
Meeting Spotlight: Vaccine Update (Ike Ogbo, Director of Health & Human Services)
● The vaccination plan is designed in phases
● Presently individuals categorized in the 1A phase, are being vaccinated. This category
compromises frontline healthcare workers, paramedics and non-affiliated hospital
healthcare workers
● Coordination for vaccine distribution began last month. There have been three coordinated
events at the City’s Levy center
● During these events a total of 946 individuals have received the vaccine so far
● The City will accommodate two events next week: 1) for non-affiliated healthcare workers
and 2) individuals who will be categorized as 1B recipients● Phase 1B individuals will be essential workers such as the Police, 311 Dispatchers, Food
Industry workers, Daycare workers, and Teachers
● Phase 1B is estimated to last for approximately five to six weeks
● To date 7,600 vaccines have been received and most have been distributed to the local
hospitals
● An ample amount of vaccines need to be received so additional events can be planned
● Notifications will be sent to individuals who qualify.
● Events will be contingent upon how quickly vaccines are received and the supply received
● IDPH dictates volume distributed to various locations after reviewing their allotment
● Preparation for vaccine sites throughout the City is the focus
● There has been strong interest from community EMTs and MRCs to help assist with
administering the vaccine
● Certain partnerships in Evanston have been established to vaccination sites: ETHS, Erie
Health and Jewel Osco
● Additional details will be available through social media as the process continues
● A dashboard for vaccine details is forthcoming to give information on the various phases
and location sites
● The program is designed to not only vaccinate residents but people who also work in
Evanston
● Once vaccines are made more available it will filter to the general public. The current
priority is healthcare workers until circumstance allow advancement into phase 1B
● Please share the survey with individuals to become categorized into phases. It can be
found at surveymonkey.com/r/27LBXZK
Hospitals
● Northshore Evanston Hospital (Doug Silverstein)
○ Currently have 70 patients, 20 ICUs, and 6 ventilated patients
○ The current focus is the roll Northshore will play in with vaccination distribution
○ Twelve to thirteen thousand vaccinations have been distributed so far and the
hospital has administered the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna
dose will be distributed in two to three weeks
○ Staff is determining the strategy for olders recipients 65+
● Amita St. Francis (Kenneth Jones)
○ No report
Senior Living (Mary Leary)
● Vaccine dates for three care communities, were confirmed for residents and employees
● Several communities have also confirmed they have not received vaccine confirmation
dates. Follow up will take place next week.
● Vaccine rates for employees ranged from 25% to 98% for the first round of clinics held● Subgroup members discovered younger employees have concerns around getting the
vaccine, as well as employees of color due to historic implications
● To date few employees have experienced side effects from the Pfizer vaccine
● Looking forward to the Evanston HHS question and answer session next week
Private Non-Profit (Maricar Ramos)
● Greg Olsen will participate in the work group meeting, to answer questions regarding the
vaccination efforts
● The City of Evanston has a community relief fund for undocumented residents established.
Updates will be given at the next task force meeting
● Connections for the Homeless has opened an internal referral system for eviction
prevention
● The county has also expanded capacity for intake information, to improved response time
● The Suburban Cook County Call Center information can be found at
suburbancook.org/prevention.
● Please direct constituents to that website or provide the Call Center’s number,
1-877-4-Cook-15 (1-877-426-6515) if they are in need of assistance.
Northwestern University (Luke Figora)
● Students have returned to campus
● Slightly over 18,000 tests performed
● Overall positivity rate is low at .6% and have identified roughly 90 positive cases
● Undergraduate positivity rate is .4% and 5 positive cases
● Still in the second phase of the Wildcat Wellness period, which is a modified quarantine
● Classes began this week remotely
● NU will continue to work with the City on vaccine rollout efforts for the campus community
Education (Devon Horton and Eric Witherspoon)
Devon Horton
● The medical advisory group met this week, to discuss issues with key members of the
union leadership and administration
● The meetings are very beneficial for parents and interested parties
● The staff is gaining insight around additional pandemic protocol. Anticipating returning to
school school
● On January 20 there should be a final decision as to next steps
Eric Witherspoon
● Racism and injustice need to continue to be addressed in light of recent events in our
community and the nation
● Recently held an online seminar involving over 265 athletes to address mental health and
sports● Reminder to the community to stay vigilant against racial injustice
Legislators
Jan Schakowsky’s Office (Ann Limpco)
● Biden-Harris COVID-19 Vaccination and Economic Rescue Package
President-Elect Biden has put forward the American Rescue Plan, a rescue package to
fund vaccinations and contain the virus, deliver direct, immediate relief to those hardest hit,
and support struggling communities. His package contains:
1. Aggressive action to speed up vaccinations and contain the virus (includes a
national vaccination campaign and mobilizing 100,000 public health workers)
2. Immediate economic relief for Americans hit hardest (includes sending $1,400
per person checks to households, and he’ll extend and expand vital programs like
emergency unemployment assistance, food assistance, and eviction moratoriums
3. Support for struggling communities (includes calling for $350 billion to keep first
responders on the job and aid to small businesses)
4. Modernize federal information technology to protect against future cyber
attacks
I have attached a single page summary of his COVID relief package. Also this just came
out but President-elect B
iden is expected to announce a $1 billion national ad campaign to
convince Americans to have faith in the Covid-19 vaccines.
● Status of Economic Impact Payments
By today, January 15, everyone who is getting a payment should have either gotten a direct
deposit or there is a paper check on its way. The IRS is saying to allow 3-4 weeks for paper
checks. If you want to check the status of your payment, the IRS.gov website is the first
place to start. There is a blue “GET MY PAYMENT” button that you can click on and enter
the SSN, date of birth, address and zip code to track. If you get an error message saying
“Status Available”:
Then there are options:
1. Try and call the IRS helpline 800-919-9835. There are very long wait times and it
used to be best to call Wednesday-Friday between 7-9 a.m. or 5-7 p.m.
2. If people don’t get their funds or don’t get the full amount, they can claim it on their
2020 taxes. Even if you don’t typically file taxes, you can file the 1040 form and
complete line 30 to request your rebate. Instructions for this are on page 57 of the
1040 form. irs.gov/instructions/i1040gi#idm140693672701440. The public should be
able to begin 2020 filing at the end of January.
3. Congressional offices are not able to send inquiries about the second stimulus
check to the IRS based on the quick turnaround so the best option is to file taxes.
● IRS Recovery Rebate Credit and other benefits
○ IRS Free File – online tax preparation products available at no charge – launched
today, Jan. 15 and it is all taxpayers need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit andother tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). IRS Free File
online products are available to any taxpayer or family who earned $72,000 or less
in 2020. Free MilTax online software for members of the military will be available on
Jan. 19, 2021. To find the right Free File product, go to IRS.gov/FreeFile.
○ I n 2020, the IRS issued two Economic Impact Payments as part of the economic
stimulus efforts. The first payments were up to $1,200 per person and $500 per
qualifying child. The second payments were up to $600 per eligible person and
$600 per qualifying child.
○ For 2021, eligible taxpayers who did not receive the full amount, can claim it as the
Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return. Use IRS Free File to
file and claim this important benefit.
○ IRS Free File also can be used by working families to claim EITC, which provides a
refundable tax credit based on income and family size. The above information is
available in IRS News Release 2021-15, IRS Free File available today; claim
Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax credits. For an online copy of the release in
Spanish visit the IRS.gov newsroom. Copies in English in Spanish are attached.
Senator Laura Fine’s Office (Senator Laura Fine)
● The General Assembly had a lame duck session in Springfield and the following are a few
items they were able to work on:
○ Education equality
○ Economic opportunity
○ Healthcare access and availability
○ Criminal justice reform
● A few highlights from the criminal justice reform package are:
○ Police accountability
○ Officers need to receive regular mental health screenings and assistance
○ Police depts need to utilize the FBI database regarding use-of-force
○ Prohibit chokeholds by police officers
Robyn Gabel’s Office (Robyn Gabel)
● New Speaker of the House was elected - Rep. Chris Welsh
● Not able to pass remote voting for sessions
● There are many more bills to file and will keep the taskforce apprised of the progress
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz’s Office (Caryn Valdez)
● The environmental bill did not have a chance to move while the assembly was in session
Commissioner Larry Sufferdin’s Office (Adam Newman)
● No reportBusiness (Roger Sosa)
● The committee met with representatives from two large banks in town
● Businesses are continuing to apply for PPP loans
● The business taskforce team is making sure the business community is aware of the PPP
loan availability process
● One big change to the process are for the 501c organizations, and they can apply this time
● Will continue to examine changes around indoor dining protocol
Mental Health (Dr. Christine Somervil)
● Held a successful town hall meeting at the Evanston library on Jan 12th
● Received constructive feedback on the work the mental health taskforce has completed
● In the process of updating the mental health dashboard to continue to reflect the needs of
the community
Faith-Based (Rev. Michael Nabors)
● Statement on recent assaults around racial hatred, undermining racial equity and justice
● On Sunday Jan 17th the inter-faith MLK service will be held virtually at 3 p.m. on Second
Baptist Church youtube channel
● Emergency zoom webinar this evening at 7 p.m. with Chief Cook on handling stress during
these disturbing times
Next Meeting: January 22 at 1:30 p.m.IRS Free File available today; claim Recovery Rebate Credit and other
tax credits
IRS YouTube Video:
Do Your Taxes for Free with Free File - English |Spanish
IR-2021-15, Jan. 15, 2021
WASHINGTON – IRS Free File – online tax preparation products available at no charge – launched
today, giving taxpayers an early opportunity to claim credits like the Recovery Rebate Credit and other
deductions, the Internal Revenue Service announced.
Leading tax software providers make their online products available for free as part of a 19-year
partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. There are nine products in English and two in Spanish.
“As we continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, IRS Free File and certain other similar online tax
preparation products such as MilTax – Tax Services for the Military offered through the Department of
Defense, offers taxpayers a free way to do their taxes from the safety of their own home and claim the tax
credits and deductions they are due,” said Chuck Rettig, IRS Commissioner. “We encourage eligible
taxpayers to take a look at using Free File, MilTax and similar free online tax preparation products this
year, to follow the lead of over 4 million people who took advantage of these free services just last year.
An IRS tax refund is often the single largest payment families receive during the year. We know how
critical that refund is, especially this year."
IRS Free File online products are available to any taxpayer or family who earned $72,000 or less in
2020. MilTax online software will be available on Jan. 19, 2021.
IRS Free File providers will accept completed tax returns and hold them until they can be filed
electronically once the IRS begins processing returns. The Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version
of IRS paper forms, also will be available later when the filing season begins. This product is best for
people comfortable preparing their own taxes and is safe and secure.
How IRS Free File Online works
Each IRS Free File provider sets its own eligibility rules for products based on age, income and state
residency. However, for those who make $72,000 or less, they will find at least one product that matches
their needs, and usually more. Some providers also offer free state preparation. Active duty military can
use any IRS Free File product if their income was $72,000 or less.
Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to find the right Free File product:
1. Go to IRS.gov/FreeFile.
2. Use the “Free File Online Look up” tool for help in finding the right product, or
3. Review each offer by a provider by using the ‘Browse All Offers’ tool.
4. Select a product.
5. Follow links to the provider’s website to begin.
No computer? No problem. IRS Free File products support mobile phone access.
Recovery Rebate Credit and other benefits
IRS Free File is all taxpayers need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax benefits such as
the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
page 1In 2020, the IRS issued two Economic Impact Payments as part of the economic stimulus efforts. The first
payments were up to $1,200 person and $500 per qualifying child. The second payments were up to
$600 per eligible person and $600 per qualifying child.
For 2021, eligible taxpayers who did not receive the full amount, can claim it as the Recovery Rebate
Credit when they file their 2020 tax return. Use IRS Free File to file and claim this important benefit.
IRS Free File also can be used by working families to claim EITC, which provides a refundable tax credit
based on income and family size.
Taxpayers also are reminded that unemployment benefits paid by states are taxable income. States
should send Forms 1099-G to those who received jobless benefits.
IRS Free File participants
For 2021, these providers are participating in IRS Free File:
• 1040Now,
• ezTaxReturn.com,
• FreeTaxReturn.com,
• FileYourTaxes.com,
• Intuit (TurboTax),
• On-Line Taxes (OLT.com),
• TaxAct,
• TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA),
• TaxSlayer.
For 2021, the following providers have IRS Free File products in Spanish:
• ezTaxReturn.com,
• TaxSlayer (Available after January 18).
--30--
page 2Free File del IRS está disponible hoy; reclame pagos de impacto
económico y otros créditos tributarios
Videos de YouTube del IRS:
Haga sus impuestos de forma gratuita con Free File - inglés / español
IR-2021-15SP, 15 de enero de 2021
WASHINGTON – Free File del IRS – productos de preparación de impuestos en línea disponibles sin
costo – comenzó operaciones hoy, otorgando a los contribuyentes una oportunidad temprana de
reclamar créditos como el Crédito de recuperación de reembolso y otras deducciones, anunció el
Servicio de Impuestos Internos.
Los proveedores principales de programas de impuestos hacen que sus productos en línea estén
disponibles de forma gratuita como parte de una asociación de 19 años con el Servicio de Impuestos
Internos. Hay nueve productos en inglés y dos en español.
"A medida que continuamos confrontando la pandemia COVID-19, Free File del IRS y algunos otros
productos similares de preparación de impuestos en línea como MilTax - Servicios de impuestos para
militares ofrecidos a través del Departamento de Defensa, ofrecen a los contribuyentes una manera
gratuita de preparar sus impuestos desde la seguridad de su propia casa y reclamar los créditos y
deducciones tributarios que se les deben,” dijo Chuck Rettig, Comisionado del IRS. "Alentamos a los
contribuyentes elegibles a que consideren Free File, MilTax y productos similares gratuitos de
preparación de impuestos en línea este año, para seguir el ejemplo de más de 4 millones de personas
que aprovecharon estos servicios gratuitos el año pasado. Un reembolso de impuestos del IRS es a
menudo el pago más grande que las familias reciben durante el año. Sabemos lo crítico que es ese
reembolso, especialmente este año.”
Los productos en línea de Free File del IRS están disponibles para cualquier contribuyente o familia con
ingresos de $72,000 o menos en 2020. El software en línea MilTax estará disponible el 19 de enero de
2021.
Los proveedores de Free File del IRS aceptarán declaraciones de impuestos completadas y las
retendrán hasta que puedan presentarse electrónicamente una vez el IRS comience a procesarlas. Los
Formularios Rellenables de Free File, la versión electrónica de los formularios en papel del IRS, también
estarán disponibles más tarde cuando comience la temporada de presentación. Este producto es mejor
para las personas que se sienten cómodas preparando sus propias declaraciones de impuestos y es
seguro.
Cómo funcionan los productos en línea de Free File del IRS
Cada uno de los proveedores de Free File del IRS establece sus propios criterios de elegibilidad para los
productos a base de edad, ingresos y estado de residencia. Sin embargo, para aquellos con ingresos de
$72,000 o menos, encontrarán al menos un producto que se adapte a sus necesidades, y por lo general
más. Algunos proveedores también ofrecen preparación gratuita de impuestos estatales. El personal
militar en servicio activo con ingresos de $72,000 o menos puede usar cualquier producto de Free File
del IRS.
Aquí está una descripción general paso a paso de cómo encontrar el producto adecuado de Free File:
1. Visite IRS.gov/FreeFile
2. Examine cada de las ofertas de un proveedor mediante el uso de la herramienta de búsqueda de
productos en línea de Free File para ayudarle a encontrar el producto adecuado, o
3. Explore cada una de las ofertas de un proveedor mediante la herramienta “ver todas las ofertas”.
page 14. Seleccione un producto.
5. Siga los enlaces al sitio web del proveedor para comenzar.
¿No tiene computadora? No hay problema. Los productos de Free File del IRS apoyan el acceso de
teléfono móvil.
Crédito de reembolso de recuperación y otros beneficios
Free File del IRS es todo lo que los contribuyentes necesitan para reclamar el Crédito de recuperación
de reembolso y otros beneficios tributarios, tal como el Crédito Tributario por Ingreso del Trabajo (EITC,
por sus siglas en inglés).
En 2020, el IRS emitió dos pagos de impacto económico como parte de los esfuerzos del estímulo
económico. Los primeros pagos fueron de hasta $1,200 por persona y $500 por hijo calificado. Los
segundos pagos fueron de hasta $600 por persona elegible y $600 por hijo calificado.
Para 2021, los contribuyentes elegibles que no recibieron el monto total pueden reclamarlo como el
Crédito de recuperación de reembolso cuando presenten su declaración de impuestos de 2020. Use
Free File del IRS para presentar y reclamar este importante beneficio.
Las familias trabajadoras también pueden usar Free File del IRS para reclamar el EITC, que proporciona
un crédito tributario reembolsable a base de los ingresos y el tamaño de la familia.
También se les recuerda a los contribuyentes que la compensación por desempleo pagada por los
estados es ingreso tributable. Los estados deben enviar los formularios 1099-G a quienes recibieron
compensación por desempleo.
Participantes de Free File del IRS
Para 2021, estos proveedores participan de Free File del IRS:
• 1040Now,
• ezTaxReturn.com,
• FreeTaxReturn.com,
• FileYourTaxes.com,
• Intuit (TurboTax),
• On-Line Taxes (OLT.com),
• TaxAct,
• TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA),
• TaxSlayer.
Para 2021, los siguientes proveedores tienen productos de Free File del IRS en español:
• ezTaxReturn.com,
• TaxSlayer (Disponible después del 18 de enero).
--30--
page 2The American Rescue Plan to Fund Vaccinations, Provide Immediate, Direct
Relief to Working Families Bearing the Brunt of the COVID-19 Crisis, and
Support Struggling Communities
The COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding economic crisis are devastating families across the
country. While Congress’s bipartisan action in December was a step in the right direction, it was only
a down payment. We are in a race against time, and absent additional government assistance, the
economic and public health crises could worsen in the months ahead, schools will not be able to
safely reopen, and vaccinations will remain far too slow.
Today, President-elect Biden is announcing the American Rescue Plan, a historic emergency
legislative package to change the course of the pandemic, provide millions of households immediate
relief, build a bridge towards economic recovery, and cut child poverty in half.
● Mount a national vaccination program, contain COVID-19, and safely reopen schools,
including by setting up community vaccination sites nationwide, scaling up testing and tracing,
eliminating supply shortage problems, investing in high-quality treatments, providing paid sick
leave to contain spread of the virus, addressing health disparities, and making targeted
investments to meet the president-elect’s goal of safely re-opening a majority of K-8 schools in
the first 100 days.
● Deliver immediate relief to working families bearing the brunt of this crisis by sending
$1,400 per-person checks to households across America, providing direct housing and
nutrition assistance, expanding access to safe and reliable childcare and affordable
healthcare, increasing the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance, and giving
families with kids and childless workers an emergency boost this year.
● Support communities that are struggling in the wake of COVID-19 by providing support for
the hardest-hit small businesses, and protecting the jobs of the first responders, transit
workers, and other essential workers we depend on.
In addition to addressing the public health and economic crises head on, the president-elect’s plan
will provide emergency funding to upgrade federal information technology infrastructure and address
the recent breaches of federal government data systems. This is an urgent national security issue
that cannot wait.
President-elect Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan is ambitious, but achievable, and will rescue the American
economy and start beating the virus. Congress should act expeditiously to help working families,
communities, and small businesses persevere through the pandemic.
This legislative package is needed now to address the immediate crises. In the coming weeks,
President-elect Biden will lay out his economic recovery plan to invest in America, create millions of
additional good-paying jobs, and build back better than before.You can also read
