Barbara Flynn Currie.
State Representative, 25th District
Currie Cares.
We do our best with Representative Currie to serve the needs of the 25th District. Below are helpful answers to some of the most pressing concerns for constituents.
Call our office at 773-667-0550 for more information on these and other programs, or click here to contact us.
• Economic Assistance
• Assistance for Senior Citizens
• Child and Family Assistance
• Crime and Corrections
• Health and Disability Concerns
• Student Support
Economic Assistance
Job Skills:
Q. What programs are avilable to help get job skills and training to find employment?
A. The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (217-782-7500) runs the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), offering a variety of training and services through 26 service delivery area organizations operating throughout the state. Eligibility depends on many factors, and requirements differ among JTPA programs.
Unemployment:
Q. How do you qualify for unemployment benefits?
A. According to the Department of Employment Security (312-793-5700) you must:
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own,
- Have earned wages in “insured” employment,
- Be available for new work,
- Be actively seeking work.
Q. How can you be disqualified from benefits?
A. Generally, you may be disqualified from receiving benefits because you:
- Quit your job,
- Were discharged for misconduct,
- Refused suitable employment,
- Were involved in an ongoing labor dispute,
- Returned to work.
Utilities:
Q. Who do I call if I have a question about my utility company?
A. Please call the Illinois Commerce Commission Consumer Services Division, (800) 524-0795.
Home Loans:
Q. How do I get a loan to buy my first home?
A. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has a first-time homebuyers program called the I-LOAN Mortgage and the I-LOAN Certificate that are originated by partner banks. There are partner banks in every county in Illinois. To get the most up-to date list of our partner banks, log on to www.IHDA.org or call 877-ILOAN-56.
Rental Assistance:
Q. I am going to be homeless, and I have a housing crisis. How do I find rental assistance or an apartment to rent when my income is very low?
A. IHDA does not own property, however it has a listing of all the properties that it has financed, as well as other resources available at www.IHDA.org and a listing that can be mailed by calling 800-942-8439.
Taxes:
Q. What should I do if I think my tax assessment is incorrect?
A. A taxpayer in Cook County can file a complaint with the country assessor or board of review. There are also filing deadlines in Cook Country, so check with the assessor or board of review. Contact the Property Tax Appeal Board for more information at 217-782-6076.
Assistance for Senior Citizens
Community Care:
Q. What Services are available through the Community Care Program, and how do I qualify?
A. The Community Care Program offers Case Management, Homemaker, Adult Day Services, and Emergency Home Response Service to assist eligible seniors to live independently in their own homes. To qualify, a person must be 60, an Illinois resident, have assets less then $17,500 (not including home, car, and personal furnishings), have an assessed need for long-term care, and apply for Medicaid. Please call 800-252-8966 for more information.
Circuit Breaker Program:
Q. How do I qualify for the Circuit Breaker Program?
A. To qualigy you myst be at least 65 before end of calendar year, turned 63 before death of spouse, or 16 or older and be totally disabled. Household income must be less then $21,218 for one person, $28,480 for a household of two persons, or $35,740 for a household of three or more. You must file form IL – 1363 Application for Circuit Breaker and Prescription Coverage postmarked no later than the end of this year.
Illinois Care Rx Basic & Illinois Care Rx Plus:
Q. How do I qualify for Illinois Care Rx Basic or Illinois Care Rx Plus?
A 1. For Illinois Care Rx Basic you must be a senior age 65 or older, or a person with disabilities. Household income should be less then $22,793 for one person, $30,594 for a household of two persons, or $38,393 for a household of three or more.
A 2. For Illinois Care Rx Plus you must be a senior age 65 or older, or a person with disabilities. Household income should be less then $21,936 for one person, $29,412 for a household of two.
Child and Family Assistance
Abuse and Neglect:
Q. Where can suspected child abuse or neglect be reported?
A. Call the Department of Child and Family Services hotline, at 800-25ABUSE (800-252-2873).
False Accusations:
Q. What recourse is available to a person claiming to be falsely accused?
A. The Department of Child and Family Services considers each claim individually through its investigation and appeal process.
Caseworker Complaints:
Q. Where can a constituent file a complaint about their caseworker?
A. Please contact the Advocacy Office for Children and Families at (800) 232-3798.
Child Support Programs:
Q. What Child Support Programs are offered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (217-782-1212)?
A. The Department has several services, including:
- Parent locating services
- Paternity testing
- Medical support
- Tax protests
- Custodial parent inquiries
- Non-custodial parent inquiries
- Intestate cases
- Collection remedies.
Health Benefits:
Q. What Health Benefits are offered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (217-782-1212)?
A. Healthcare and Family Services pays for a wide range of health services provided to 2.1 million Illinoisans for 48,000 enrolled providers. Programs offered include:
- All Kids
- FamilyCare
- Moms and Babies
- AABD Medical
- Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
- Health Benefits for Persons with Breast or Cervical Cancer
- State Renal Dialysis Program
- State Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Program
- Medicare Cost Sharing
- Illinois Cares Rx
Self Sufficiency:
Q. What does the Department of Human Services (217-557-1551) offer to achieve self-sufficiency?
A. The DHS provides many services so that Illinois residents can achieve self-sufficiency, such as:
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD)
- Food Stamps and Earnfare
- Child-Care Programs
- Emergency Shelter Programs
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLIB)
- Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SSAS) for children and adolescents in crisis.
- Individual Care Grants (ICG) for mentally ill children, providing funding to their parents or guardians.
- Integrated Dual Diagnostic Treatment (IDDT) funding specialized services for adults who are dually diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse.
Crime and Corrections
Crime Victims:
Q. What programs does the Office of the Attorney General have to help crime victims?
A. The Violent Crimes Victims Assistance Program, and the Illinois Crimes Victim Compensation Program. Contact (800) 288-3368.
Corrections:
Q. What information would be helpful when contacting the Illinois Department of Corrections?
A. Information needed would be name and prisoner register number, institution where confined, and date of birth if available. Please also check the Department’s website. www.idoc.state.il.us
Health and Disability Concerns
Illinois provides many useful public health services.
Birth Certificates:
Q. How can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
A. Send a signed request to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield 62761. The letter must contain the full name at birth, date and place of birth, and parent’s full names (including mother’s maiden name). The charge is $15 for the first certificate copy and $2 for each additional copy; $19 for a short form certified; and $10 for a birth card form. For more information check www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/birth.htm
AIDS Testing:
Q. Where can a person go to be tested for infection with the AIDS virus?
A. Calls the AIDS Hotline at 800-243-2437 for the nearest site or check www.idph.state.il.us/aids/materials/10questions.htm
Nursing Homes:
Q. Where can I complain about a nursing home?
A. Complaints can be called into the nursing home hotline at 800-252-4343
Women's Health:
Q. Is there a Women’s Health helpline?
A. Yes. 888-522-1282
Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
Q. Where can I get information from the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission?
A. Information is available at www.idhhc.state.il.us and includes history of the IDHHC, database of registered interpreters, state and local programs, and services for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and important information on pending legislation and administration rules.
Students in Illinois have many resources available to them from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (217-782-6767) or www.collegezone.com
Financial Aid:
Q. How does a student apply for higher education financial aid?
A. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Q. Where can a student obtain the proper forms?
A. ISAC, High School counseling offices, college financial aid offices, or the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800 4FED-AID.
Q. When should a student begin the application process?
A. Applications are accepted after January 1 each year for enrollment that fall. Applying early can be to the student’s advantage.
Grants and Loans:
Q. What sort of grants, loans, and savings programs are offered to students in Illinois?
A. There are many options for students seeking grants, loans, and savings programs:
Grant Programs offered:
• Monetary Award Program (MAP)
• Illinois Incentive for Access Program (IIA)
• National Guard Grant Program
• Illinois Veteran Grant
• Policemen, Firemen & Correctional Officers Dependents Program
• Student to Student Grant
• Bonus Incentive Grant
• Illinois State Scholars Program
• Illinois Merit Scholarship
• Minority Teachers of Illinois air Program
• Illinois Future Teacher Corps Scholarship
• Illinois Special Education Teacher tuition Waiver Program
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
• Illinois Teacher/Child Care Provider Loan Repayment Program
• General Assembly Scholarships, contact our office for more details.
Loan Programs offered:
• Stafford Loan Programs
• PLUS Loan Program
Savings programs offered:
• College Illinois!
• Illinois College Savings Bond Program
