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Social distancing is understandably weighing on many. Join NAMI Chicago, local youth and myself to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting young people. We'll be live on my Facebook page, http://facebook.com/SenElgieSims17, on Thursday at 6 p.m.

The city of Chicago has established a COVID-19 Response Center as a way to take extra precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus through a densely populated city-center. The website for the Response Center can be accessed on the COVID-19 Response Center website .

The city encourages fighting stigma and fear by understanding the facts about COVID-19 and taking the effective precautionary steps recommended by health professionals. Support people returning from COVID-19 quarantine and help reduce the spread of rumors by letting people know that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. More information is available on the COVID-19 facts and stigma prevention page .

I have also been actively speaking with aldermen from around the district in an effort to facilitate cooperation at a state and local level to ensure our community has the resources it needs. You can find more information about your local ward by clicking the name of your alderman in the list below:

• Ward 6: Alderman Roderick Sawyer
• Ward 7: Alderman Gregory L. Mitchell
• Ward 9: Alderman Anthony Beale
• Ward 8: Alderman Michelle Harris
• Ward 10: Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza
• Ward 17: Alderman David Moore
• Ward 21: Alderman Howard Brookins Jr.

CPS is providing meals to families until schools reopen. The meal sites are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are open to any CPS student. The meal site locations are subject to change, and we will keep you updated with the accurate and current information should that occur. Click here or refer to the graphic below to find your nearest meal site.

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) offered his full support of a plan expanding vote by mail for the upcoming general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This proposal allows the state to act reasonably to protect its citizens,” Sims said. “We are facing an unprecedented pandemic. This measured approach will ensure that voters can safely cast their ballots from the safety of their homes.”

Individuals who have voted in the past two years — either in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — will be mailed an application for a vote-by-mail ballot.

Those who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election will also receive an application.

Under the plan, individuals who aren’t automatically sent an application will still be able to apply for a ballot via the State Board of Elections’ website. Applications will open the day the law takes effect.

This legislation does not prevent in-person voting opportunities on and before Election Day.

“Many have fought, bled and died for our right to vote, and we need to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise that right,” Sims said. “I am confident this plan will help voters throughout Illinois do so without risking their health.”

Senate Bill 1863 now heads to the governor’s desk for approval.