Since December 22, more than 8,000 Illinoisans have been affected by the needless government shutdown in Washington D.C. The Office of the Governor is doing everything we can to help.
We're working with banks and credit unions to assist furloughed federal workers with outstanding mortgage payments, student loans, and car loans during this difficult time. A number of banks and credit unions across the state have agreed to provide aid ranging from deferments on loans to 0 percent interest to assisting individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Below is list of services being offered to federal employees impacted by the government shutdown:
Banks
- American Bank & Trust Company, N.A.
- Bank & Trust Company
- Bank of America
- Bank of Springfield
- BMO Harris
- Busey
- Byline Bank
- Chase Bank
- CIBC Bank USA
- Fifth Third Bank
- First Eagle Bank
- First Mid Bank & Trust
- First Midwest Bank
- Home State Bank
- Huntington Bank
- Illinois National Bank
- Itasca Bank & Trust Co.
- Marquette Bank
- Peoples Bank
- Peoples Bank & Trust
- PNC Bank
- Republic Bank of Chicago
- SENB Bank
- The State Bank Group
- U.S. Bank
- Wells Fargo Bank
- Wintrust
For more information, visit the Illinois Bankers Association website by clicking here.
Credit Unions:
- 1st Mid America Credit Union
- Citizens Equity First Credit Union
- Community Plus Federal Credit Union
- Heartland Credit Union
- IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union
- KCT Credit Union
- R.I.A. Federal Credit Union
- Scott Credit Union
- SUI Credit Union
- University of Illinois Community Credit Union
- U.S. Employee Credit Union
- Vibrant Credit Union
For more information, visit the Illinois Credit Union League’s website by clicking here.
Energy Assistance
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for federal workers if your last thirty day income has been affected by the shutdown.
LIHEAP applications are processed through a network of 35 local administering agencies around the state. For a complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional information about the program, go to
www.liheapIllinois.com, or call the LIHEAP toll-free hotline at 1877411-WARM (9276).
Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is planning to distribute food next week to more than 500 federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown, including Transportation Security Administration workers at Chicago Midway International Airport and workers with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (view the press release here).
The Food Depository is Chicago’s food bank, regularly distributing food to more than 700 partner agencies and programs throughout Cook County. Any person facing food insecurity, including federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay, can seek and receive food at any food pantry or mobile distribution in our vast network. Anyone in need will be welcomed.
Adler Planetarium
Getting to space isn’t easy, but exploring it should be! As a respite for those furloughed or working without pay during the government shutdown, the Adler Planetarium is offering free general admission (with government ID) to all federal workers.
Just present your government employment ID at the Adler box office and receive two free general admission tickets.
For more information and to plan your visit, please visit:
adlerplanetarium.org.
The site will be updated periodically with additional information.