CHICAGO – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced new partnerships with Hotel Julian, The Godfrey Hotel and London House to provide Chicago’s nursing home workers with a safe space to isolate themselves if they get sick or if they need temporary respite as they continue to work on the frontlines of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Across the state and the nation, nursing homes have been hotspots for COVID-19 outbreaks and with these latest efforts, Chicago’s nursing home workers can safely rest, recover and return as quickly as possible to their patients and workforce without endangering their families or others with whom they live.

“Chicago’s nursing home workers have been at the forefront of this unprecedented public health crisis as they continue to serve our most vulnerable residents and individuals suffering from COVID-19,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “As we continue to combat this crisis, we will always fulfill our obligation to ensure those on the frontline – especially our nursing home workers – are supported during this hour of need.”

As part of the City’s latest protective measures to support those fighting the spread of COVID-19, nursing home workers in Chicago who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 can now gain access to Hotel Julian – one of the City’s quarantine and isolation hotels. Without having to return home and risking the health of their families during the crisis, the hotel will provide nursing home workers with a safe space to isolate themselves while they recover. In addition to nursing home workers, Hotel Julian is also available to City employees who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“We recognize nursing home staff is on the frontlines of this pandemic, and we want to do everything we can to support them as they are caring for Chicago’s most vulnerable residents,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “We hope the hotels will not only offer them a warm bed at the end of a long shift, but will also give them peace of mind that their families are safe, too.”

In addition to the partnership with Hotel Julian, the City is also offering nursing home workers with access to The Godfrey Hotel and London House for a place to rest rather than return home and risk possibly exposing others to COVID-19, which can be spread by those who have no symptoms. The rooms will provide these vital workers a sense of comfort knowing that they can do their jobs and protect their families at the same time. These hotels have also been made available for temporary respite to Chicago’s healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients.

"This unprecedented public health crisis has put a spotlight on the courage and commitment of Chicago's nursing home workers and the work they are doing every day to care for this city's most vulnerable residents," said Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri and Kansas (HCIIMK). "We applaud Mayor Lightfoot's efforts to provide much-needed relief, resources and supports to our workers who are on the frontline fighting the spread of COVID-19."

Beginning this week, the rooms at the hotels will be available to nursing home workers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any nursing home worker looking to secure a room will need to provide proof of employment. Additionally, the hotels will provide guests with free meals and free parking is also included at the respite hotel locations

This is the latest measure in the City’s comprehensive response plan to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Mayor Lightfoot announced a series of agreements with area hotels to provide space to quarantine or isolate patients exposed to or mildly ill with COVID-19.

###