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 Through the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation
Emergency (Local CURE) Support Program, the State will take steps to
deploy $250 million to local governments in the coming months. The
additional state relief funds will help local governments secure
reimbursement on eligible costs associated with the emergency
response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
We know that Illinois municipalities, counties, and local health
departments have stepped up to take on significant costs throughout
the COVID-19 pandemic – costs no one could have planned or budgeted
for," said Governor Pritzker. "From the beginning of this crisis, my
administration has worked steadfastly to provide assistance and
support to the communities hit hardest by this virus. While there's
no question that more federal funds are needed to support vital
local services like education, the Local CURE Program will provide
much-needed relief for Illinois communities until an agreement is
reached."
In the coming weeks, DCEO will administer funds from the Local CURE
program to reimburse units of local governments in nearly 100
counties across the state. In rules filed with the Joint Committee
on Administrative Rules, DCEO has developed a per capita and
needs-based formula for allocating the Local CURE funding.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted budgets for communities and
businesses across our state—forcing many local governments to choose
between making community investments and doing what needs to be done
to sustain an emergency response," said Michael Negron, Acting
Director of DCEO. "Over the next several weeks, we will establish a
rigorous process to ensure this critical funding is distributed
equitably and expeditiously, helping those communities hit hardest
by the virus sustain their response."
More than eighty-five percent of the Local CURE Program's funding
will be distributed to municipalities, county governments, and
certified local public health departments. Remaining funds will be
released by application to other units of local government. The
application-based allotment will prioritize local governments
serving disproportionately impacted areas, or DIAs, low-income zip
codes that have had a significant number of cases of COVID 19 among
residents. In addition to Local CURE funds,
DIA communities will also receive additional assistance as part of
recently launched community assistance programs, including the $540
million Business Interruption Grants (BIG) and $25 million Rebuild
Distressed Communities programs.
Costs eligible for reimbursement are defined by the US Treasury and
are those incurred due to the public health emergency response to
the COVID–19 pandemic. These costs include public safety, public
health, PPE materials, and more. In the coming weeks, DCEO will
release a detailed process for local governments to submit eligible
costs for review. Costs must be incurred since March 1, 2020 and may
not be accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of
March 27, 2020.
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"The local government response to the COVID-19
pandemic necessitated unanticipated and significant expenditures to
provide essential public health and safety services to protect
Illinois residents," said Joe McCoy, Executive Director of the
Illinois State Association of Counties. "Local officials throughout
the state greatly appreciate the work of the General Assembly and
Pritzker Administration to provide significant funding through the
Local CURES program. These critical funds are badly needed to help
offset the costs to local governments associated with the emergency
response."
Only local governments outside Chicago-Cook and the collar counties
will be eligible for Local CURES funding; Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane,
and Lake counties have already received direct allocations
Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars under the federal CARES Act.
"We appreciate the Governor and his Administration's ongoing support
during these unprecedented times for deploying programs from the
Federal Cares Act to help those affected by the COVID," said Jason
Ashmore, President of the Southern Illinois Mayors Association and
Mayor of Sesser. "We will continue to work with the Governor and his
administration to address the economic shortcomings our communities
and businesses have endured as a result from the COVID-19 virus."
In a process that will begin as early as July, local governments
will be able to make their claims and receive reimbursement on
eligible expenses. Municipalities, counties, and local public health
department allotments will be determined in rules. All other units
of local government are being encouraged to review and submit for an
application that will be made available on July 1 on DCEO's website.
"As president of the Southwestern Illinois council of mayors we
appreciate the work that governor Pritzker and the DCEO Are doing,
to work with local municipalities throughout the state, to provide
funding and reimbursement for cost incurred due to COVID-19," said
Mark Kupsky, President of the Southwestern Council of Mayors and
Mayor of Fairview Heights. "As a local Mayor, all of our cities have
incurred unplanned expenses Related to fighting this pandemic, so
the funds provided by the cure allotment will help us with
reimbursement of expenditures that our Cities have incurred."
Since March, communities across Illinois have been devastated by the
impact of COVID-19. A May 2020 report by the Commission on
Government Forecasting and Accountability estimates that local
government revenues are down by $1.3 billion over last year. The
Pritzker administration has worked over the past several weeks to
marshal hundreds of millions for communities and businesses hit
hardest by the crisis.
For more information on the statewide COVID-19 response, visit
coronavirus.illinois.gov
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |
