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Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans received or are currently receiving unemployment compensation, many of them for the first time. It’s important for these individuals to know that unemployment compensation is taxable.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/bulletins/29fa284?reqfrom=share

The Pritzker Administration, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), has launched a new initiative to help Illinois families access and afford home energy assistance and other essential services during COVID-19. Building on the State’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, the State’s Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) budget authorizes an expansion of the LIHEAP and CSBG programs for eligible Illinoisans seeking emergency assistance to cover costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities. Effective immediately, the Help Illinois Families initiative is implementing an online form to make it easier and faster for individuals and families to remotely request assistance through the LIHEAP and/or CSBG programs. Funding may be limited in some areas of the state and completion of the form linked below is not a guarantee of funding. Filling out the form below is the first step in a process that will be completed by local agencies throughout the state. Increased eligibility thresholds for FY21 aim to assist additional households needing support due to challenges exacerbated by COVID-19. This initiative remains available for all qualifying households with low income, regardless of how they may be affected COVID-19. Eligible families may qualify for hundreds of dollars of support; all applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis and subject to funding availability. More information 

A temporary community-based COVID-19 drive-through testing site will return to Rock Island County from Aug. 19-30.
The location and hours are different from the site that was open in July. Testing will be in the parking lot of the TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Drive, Moline. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Community-based testing sites are available to any Illinois resident to get tested, regardless of symptoms or other criteria. No appointment or doctor referral is needed at state-operated drive-through sites. Photo identification is required. Testing is available at no cost to the individual, but those with medical insurance may be asked to provide their insurance card.
Anyone who will be tested must be seated at a functioning window. Once you get in line at the testing site, you will not be permitted to exit your car. Walk-up testing services also will be offered; please follow directions at the test site.
Due to the demand for this service, there could be significant wait times. Please be patient. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate care.
Testing is encouraged for residents showing symptoms consistent of COVID-19. These symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. For additional information about COVID-19 symptoms, use the CDC Symptom Self-Checker Tool.
For additional information related to COVID-19, visit www.dph.illinois.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at any time at 800-889-3931.
This testing site is possible through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Rock Island County Emergency Management Agency, the TaxSlayer Center and the Rock Island County Health Department.

  IHDA is developing programs for Emergency Rental Assistance and Emergency Mortgage Assistance for households who have lost income due to COVID-19. Both programs are currently under development. Applications for Emergency Rental Assistance will be available on August 10 at era.ihda.org. Emergency Rental Assistance program FAQ’s can currently be found at era.ihda.org. Applications for Emergency Mortgage Assistance will be available on August 24 at ema.ihda.org. If you have questions, please call 312.883.2720 or 888.252.1119. If you need immediate assistance, please speak with your landlord or mortgage servicer about your specific situation. Please check back at ihda.org in the coming weeks for more information.

Susan Zelnio, Workforce Development Program Director of the Moline Foundation, has an extensive background in Human Resources and career coaching. This six part series is designed so that each 30 minute session provides a 15 minute Q and A period.  Each session stands on its own so that participants can attend as many or as few sessions as they'd like. Registration is required and Susan will email the program Zoom links to registered patrons.  More information:
molinelibrary.librarymarket.com/events/career-coaching-susan-zelnio-moline-foundation-workforce-development-program-director-4

Volunteer Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced today the launch of the Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund, an extension of the Iowa Small Business Relief Grant Program.

The program will provide short-term relief to nonprofit organizations that have seen reduced revenue and/or increased costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible nonprofits may be awarded a grant of up to $25,000, based on income, expenses, outstanding obligations and other state and federal assistance received. The program has $10 million available, which was allocated through federal CARES Act funds.

Initially eligible nonprofits must be a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(19), be based in Iowa and have:
Experienced a documented, involuntary loss of revenue and/or increase in expenses that occurred after March 1, 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency Annual operating budget of more than $25,000 Twenty-five or fewer full-time equivalent employees A primary mission to serve the program’s priority service populations For more information on eligibility and assistance or to apply, visit iowabusinessrecovery.com.

Applications will be reviewed in the order received and awarded on a first come, first ready to process basis. Applications will be accepted until August 14 at 5 pm or until funds have been exhausted.

Questions regarding the Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund can be addressed by calling 515.348.8897 (toll free: 855.854.2440).