CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago’s City Treasurer has set up a website she said can be a one-stop source for financial information for families and business people during the coronavirus crisis.
City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin said with information changing daily, there’s no shortage of information on city and state websites on how to protect your physical health; but what is less clear is how to protect a family’s finances and make difficult financial decisions, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis.
To help fill this void, she has taken the initiative to create a new online resource for families, small businesses, and non-profits that offer 24/7 access to the financial advice and assistance they need.
Conyears-Ervin said people may have questions about assistance on paying rent, mortgage, credit card bills, utilities, or school loans. The new website features easily identifiable icons that will direct individuals, entrepreneurs, homeowners, renters, leaders of local and faith-based organizations and others to the information they need.
“I want to bring all the important financial assistance and advice where people can go to one place,” said Treasurer Conyears-Ervin, in a statement. “This crisis has put an unimaginable strain on hard-working families, business owners and nonprofits. Through our Chicago Community Catalyst Fund that offers emergency loans to help Chicago’s small neighborhood businesses, and now a wealth of online financial information and advice, we’re aiming to help Chicagoans weather this storm.”
In addition to the resources, the website also includes advice from financial experts such as Working Credit and other leading financial service organizations. For example, if you cannot pay a bill, contact the bank or company before it is due to work things out.
“When it comes to managing your finances and getting help paying a bill, it’s important to be proactive,” said Treasurer Conyears-Ervin. “It’s essential to get out in front of it, so contact the company directly, make the call, and ask the tough questions you need answers to."
Treasurer Conyears-Ervin said in addition to the information on the new website, her office will host a series of online information sessions to provide answers and assistance to the many Chicagoans in need.