Illinois GOP Demand Transparency from
Pritzker Regarding Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding
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[September 16, 2020]
Today, U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood
(IL-18), John Shimkus (IL-15), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rodney Davis
(IL-13), and Mike Bost (IL-12) renewed their demand for greater
transparency of Illinois’ use of federal assistance. The delegation
criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker for failing to fully utilize
funding already allocated by Congress in multiple COVID-19 relief
packages and refusing to disclose information about how smaller,
rural municipalities can receive funding as Congress intended.
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The U.S. Treasury Department Inspector General
published data this week showing how much each state was given from
the federal government and how much each state has spent as of June
30th. According to the report, the State of Illinois received
$3,518,945,366 and spent only $505,085,663 or 14.4% of the federal
COVID-19 relief funding allocated by Congress as of June 30th.
In May, Illinois Republicans sent a letter to Governor Pritzker
requesting information about the process for smaller units of local
government to obtain federal funding sent to the state and how much
funding was sent to smaller units of local government. No
information was provided in response to that letter.
“We continue to hear from local leaders in our districts who are
struggling because of COVID-19 and Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home
orders. The lack of transparency regarding the federal funding sent
to Illinois to support our communities through this pandemic is
unacceptable. While Governor Pritzker continues to criticize the
federal government and call for additional federal support, he must
immediately provide information to the public about how the federal
tax payer money he is withholding will be disbursed and a process
for how smaller units of government can get access to the funding,”
said Republican members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.
Background:
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has passed
four pieces of legislation to provide support to Illinois
communities and families. Illinois Republicans supported all four
pieces of bipartisan legislation.
On March 4, 2020, Congress passed the first emergency coronavirus
package (H.R. 6074), which was signed into law by President Trump on
March 6, 2020. This included $7.8 billion in funds to expand testing
capabilities across the country, bolster state and local response
efforts, and purchase essential equipment and supplies.
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On March 14, 2020, Congress passed the second
emergency coronavirus package (H.R. 6201), which was signed into law
by President Trump on March 18, 2020. This package included paid
sick and medical leave for workers, required insurance companies to
cover the cost of testing for COVID-19, and increased access to
telehealth.
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act (H.R. 748), which
President Trump signed on the same day. This package provided almost
$2 trillion in relief, including direct financial payments to
Americans, funds to support health care workers and hospitals,
expanded unemployment insurance, loans for small businesses, and
funds to state and local governments.
On April 23, 2020, Congress passed another funding measure (H.R.
266) to replenish programs authorized in the CARES Act. This
legislation appropriated an additional $321 billion for the Paycheck
Protection Program (bringing total to $659 billion), $10 billion for
the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (bringing total to $20B),
and another $50 billion for the disaster loan programs account. It
also provided another $75 billion for hospital reimbursements
(bringing total to $175 billion) as well as $25 billion for testing.
Related:
Illinois GOP Ask Pritzker for Transparency
Regarding State and Local Funding
Illinois GOP Delegation Urge Congress to
Prevent Governors from Withholding Federally Appropriated Funding
from Municipalities
Chicago Sun-Times: GOP Illinois congressmen
blister state Senate Democrats for using COVID-19 as excuse for
pension bailout
Illinois GOP Ask Pritzker to Clarify PPP
Guidance for Nonprofit Human Service Organizations
[Congressman Darin LaHood] |