HOTELS PROVIDE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE ON THE FRONTLINE

Healthcare workers and first responders on the frontline of fighting COVID-19 can find respite at hotels in Chicago thanks to an agreement between the hotels and the city of Chicago.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced first responders and healthcare workers can find respite at hotels downtown as they fight on the frontlines of COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Heidi Zeiger, City of Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced first responders and healthcare workers can find respite at hotels downtown as they fight on the frontlines of COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Heidi Zeiger, City of Chicago

Hotels provide accommodations for those on the frontline

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Healthcare workers and first responders on the frontline of fighting COVID-19 can find respite at hotels in Chicago thanks to an agreement between the hotels and the city of Chicago.

Hotel Essex, located on 800 S. Michigan Ave.; LondonHouse Hotel, located on 85 E. Wacker Drive; and Godfrey Hotel, located on 127 W. Huron St., have opened to accommodate healthcare workers and first responders. The hotels will offer them temporary housing where they’ll get a chance to rest without endangering the health of their families.

“It’s often said that our first responders run towards danger. And, that reality has never been more true in these unprecedented times. We need to continue rallying as [a] city because we need to support all of our first responders because we need them now more than ever,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

“Our healthcare professionals and first responders have been working around the clock and putting their lives on the line to tackle this crisis and keep our city safe,” Lightfoot said. “Just as they’ve been supporting us, we need to support them. I want to thank our hotel partners for stepping up once again for Chicago during our hour of need. Now is the time for all of us to work together to save lives and get our city back on track.”

Lightfoot thanked Hotel Essex and its leadership in this time of need.

“Hotel Essex leadership is exhibiting true civic leadership by their partnership in this effort,” she said.

Lightfoot said the reality is first responders are coming into contact with this virus every day. And working long, hard hours and some might prefer to stay downtown rather than go home to their families.

“Now is the time for us to be coming together and working together to save more lives and get our city back on track,” she said.

Hotel Essex has 274 rooms, LondonHouse has 200 rooms and Godfrey Hotel has 225 rooms. The rooms at Hotel Essex are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those interested – police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, orderlies, lab technicians, custodial staff, 911 operators and dispatchers -- will have to provide proof of employment. The Essex also will provide three meals a day and free parking.

In a news release, Founder, President and CEO John Rutledge of Oxford Capital Group, which owns The Hotel Essex, Godfrey Hotel and LondonHouse said, “It is an honor to provide sanctuary for the first responders of the city of Chicago – those who put their lives on the line every day.” He added, “We’re proud to help the city combat this crisis and allow our brave first responders a safe respite during this crisis.”

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