SPECIAL EAP COVID-19 RESOURCES

Brothers and Sisters,

The union and the company want to make all our members aware of resources that are available to help support all of us during this crisis.

Resources for employees and families

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – The EAP provides free, confidential support for a variety of work, life and mental health issues year-round. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone at 800-354-4084 and at liveandworkwell.com (use access code WEC).

Special EAP COVID-19 resources – Our EAP provider, Optum, has created a special page https://optumeap.com/?lang=en_us with resources for well-being, including information to help you manage stress and issues you may be experiencing. Optum Public Crisis Line at 866-342-6892, a free resource for anyone, not just employees.

Substance Use Treatment Hotline – Confidential help for substance abuse is available through the EAP at 855-780-5955 or liveworkwell.com/recovery.

Community resources

Local governments throughout the region have set up dedicated pages on their websites to pull together services related to this health crisis. The City of Chicago’s Coronavirus Response Center is the most extensive information hub, with links to organizations and agencies that provide health care, food, housing, school and youth resources, immigrant assistance, employment and financial support, utility assistance and donation/volunteer resources.

City of Chicago: chicago.gov

Cook County: cookcountyil.gov

DuPage County: dupagehealth.org

Lake County: 211lakecounty.org and lakecountyil.gov

McHenry County: mchenrycountyil.gov

Will County: willcountyillinois.com

Lake County, Indiana: lakecountyin.org

Additionally, Gov. Pritzker announced an expansion of eligibility to support essential workers’ child care needs. Effective April 1, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. The state will cover most of the cost of care provided by emergency child care centers and homes. Full details and applications for assistance are available on the Department of Human Services (IDHS) website DHS.illinois.gov/helpishere and coronavirus.illinois.gov.

The Local would also like to thank all our members for their continued dedication to Chicago during the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyday a new story comes out from our customers thanking our members for their service during this virus for being out on the front lines keeping the city safe from potential gas leaks or turning on their service to provide heat, cooking gas and hot water for their homes. It doesn’t matter if it’s a polar vortex, extreme heatwave, explosion, major outage or even a pandemic our members always answer the call because we are the best at what we do. Thank You

Gas Workers Union Local 18007 Executive Board