|
 It’s imperative that you abide by the guidelines
outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the
Illinois Department of Public Health to keep yourself, your family,
and your community healthy.
The coronavirus presents our state and nation with a serious health
challenge, and like every obstacle we face, Americans are rising to
the occasion to combat this virus. That’s what we’re seeing in
central and west-central Illinois. The heroes among us—nurses,
doctors, therapists, health care workers, truck drivers, grocery
store workers, pharmacy clerks, and essential workers—are stepping
up to provide for our communities. We are grateful for all that you
continue to do.
As we continue to navigate this challenging time, my office is
actively working to connect individuals and small businesses with
the resources and funding made available by Congress in light of the
coronavirus outbreak. If you have questions, please do not hesitate
to call my office at (309) 671-7027 or contact us via email here:
https://lahood.house.
gov/contact. Working together and supporting our
neighbors, we'll overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
Paycheck Protection Program
On Friday, small businesses and sole proprietorships were able to
begin applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans,
which were a part of the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed
into law by the President last week. The Paycheck Protection Program
(PPP) is a nearly $350 billion program to provide eight weeks of
cash-flow assistance to small businesses that maintain their payroll
during this emergency.
PPP is a forgivable loan. If the employer maintains its payroll,
then the portion of the PPP loan used for covered payroll costs,
interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be
forgiven. These grants are retroactive to February 15, 2020, which
will help bring workers who have already been laid off back onto
payrolls.
This is a critically important program that will help small
businesses and workers get through this global pandemic.
Please go to the U.S. Treasury Department's
website here to get the full guidance. If you're a lender,
CLICK HERE for more information. If you're a borrower,
CLICK HERE for more information. If you're a small business
looking for the application, CLICK HERE.
Thank you to our respiratory therapists
Respiratory therapists are on the front lines of the COVID-19
response. The health and safety of our families and communities
during this uncertain relies on the work done by respiratory
therapists and their colleagues in the healthcare industry.
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These brave men and women are among the heroes of our
health system—the foundation of our fight against the coronavirus.
With American resiliency and heroes, like our
healthcare professionals, we’ll overcome the coronavirus and come
back stronger. History will remember those heroes who answered the
call to serve their communities.
For all they are doing today, for what they will do tomorrow, and
for what they will do into the future, I want to thank each of the
respiratory therapists in Illinois who are rising to the challenge
of the coronavirus. Illinois and our country are grateful for your
sacrifice and willingness to keep our communities safe during this
challenging time.
Read my full op-ed thanking our respiratory therapists:
Thank You – IL-18 Congressman LaHood Praises Respiratory Therapists
Supporting local communities during this challenging time
I was in Bloomington/Normal on Friday and stopped by Destihl
Restaurant in Normal to grab some carry out food and beverages. If
you can, please help support our local restaurants during these
challenging times with takeout, delivery, drive-thru, or curbside
service!
Securing COVID-19 response funding for IL18 communities
This week, I announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development awarded $2,997,250 million to Bloomington-Normal,
Peoria, and Springfield to support relief efforts as communities
continue to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
Bloomington: $329.144
Peoria: $1,622,883
Normal: $246,067
Springfield: $799,156
Census update
This week, we recognized Census Day, and I filled out the Census for
myself and my family. In Illinois, our state must be accurately
counted. I'm encouraging everyone in the 18th District to fill out
the Census to make sure our region is counted!
Go here to fill yours out: U.S. Census Bureau
As always, thanks for subscribing to my newsletter.
Sincerely,
Darin LaHood
Member of Congress |
