Illinois GOP Ask Pritzker for
Transparency Regarding State and Local Funding
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[August 27, 2020]
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (IL-18), Rodney Davis
(IL-13), John Shimkus (IL-15), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), and Mike Bost
(IL-12) sent a letter to Governor Pritzker requesting information
regarding the allocation of federal funding to state and local
governments that was authorized and appropriated under the recently
enacted bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act.
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Recently, a report by the National League of
Cities found that Illinois continues to withhold funding from local
municipalities.
"We continue to hear from many of our local governments who are
struggling because of the pandemic and stay-at-home orders that
remain in place. This funding was passed on a bipartisan basis and
released to states nearly a month ago to help local governments
continue basic functions and we remain concerned that this funding
has seemingly not been distributed. While Chicago and other larger
municipalities have already received this funding from the federal
government, our smaller localities continue to wait. We hope
Governor Pritzker will provide more transparency about the timeline
and process for distribution," said Republican members of the
Illinois Congressional Delegation.
Text of the letter sent to Governor Pritzker:
Governor JB Pritzker
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Governor Pritzker:
We write to request information regarding the allocation of federal
funding to state and local governments that was authorized and
appropriated under the recently enacted bipartisan Coronavirus Aid,
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
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As you know, the CARES Act
established a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund designed
specifically for assistance to state, local, and tribal governments.
Local governments with populations of 500,000 or more were able to
directly apply for federal funding, with the remaining funds going
to state governments. The United States Department of Treasury has
confirmed that Illinois received approximately $4.9 billion as of
April 24th, 2020.
Therefore, we request the following information:
1. How much of Illinois’ Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation came
directly to the state government;
2. What is the application process, if any, your administration set
up to allow smaller units of local government to request funding
from amounts received by the state; and
3. Of the amount that came directly to the state government, how
much has been disbursed to smaller units of local government and
which units of government have received such funding?
We appreciate your consideration and attention to these concerns,
and your prompt response to the above questions.
Sincerely,
[Congressman Darin LaHood] |