There’s a lot to be downcast about during these harsh times, but ingenious and resourceful Illinoisans continue to make us proud. Darius Mason, a seventh grader from Chicago’s South Side, is one young man spending time to help others even as he’s faced loss.

During these trying times, Phillips 66 is donating $3 million nationally in response to the economic impact COVID-19 has had across the nation, including 100,000 to organizations near its Wood River Refinery in Illinois’ Metro-East region.

 In Joliet, Illinois, Jody’s Hot Dogs was not sure how it was going to survive after the shutdown of sit-down dining to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, the owner wanted to both keep the business going and do their part to support workers who put themselves at risk to fight the pandemic, so the small restaurant started promoting a new deal called the “Feed A First Responder Program.” 

Last week In Moline, Illinois-based large manufacturer John Deer announced that they have started producing protective face shields for health care workers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They have collaborated with the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, and several different companies and organizations across the country to produce these face shields.

In response to a massive personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage both at the national and state level, a woman in downstate Illinois has been using her sewing skills to help fill the gap. Dusty Cox-Medina of McDonough County has sewn hundreds of masks in the past few weeks to help her local essential workers.

Cox-Medina worked as a registered nurse until a tragic back injury disabled her. Being able to help out in this midst of the pandemic helps her feel connected to her former work.