Republican Rep. David Welter said the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) would help Illinoisans deal with the COVID-19 epidemic as part of a total $2.2 trillion national economic relief package.
Welter represents District 75 which includes parts of Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle and Will counties.
“CARES provides help for families, small business, hospitals, local governments and others,” said a post on Welter's website.
Rep. David Welter explained the CARES Act and how it can help Illinoisans during this coronavirus pandemic.
Individuals will receive up to $1,200 in economic recovery checks with $2,400 for joint filers.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered the shut-down of non-essential businesses to extend through the end of April and the relief money is intended to help residents cope with the economic impacts of the coronavirus.
The package of aid passed by congress on Mar. 27 includes $820 million for the Older Americans Act, funding for senior meals services and family caregiver programs. The aid allocates $8.8 billion in extra funding for child nutrition programs, $450 million for TEFAP (food pantry funding), and $15.5 billion in additional funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to information provided on Welter's website.
The program also suspends student monthly loan payments for six months.
In addition $25 billion will be provided in to keep public transit running throughout Illinois to ensure continued access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential services.
“Illinois transit agencies will receive an estimated $1.6 billion in federal transit funding including $800 million for the Chicago Transit Authority, over $400 million for Metra (commuter rail), and over $100 million for Pace (bus transit),” Welter noted.
The package also includes unemployment assistance for up to four months, a 120-day moratorium on rental or housing evictions, and $3 billion in rental assistance.
In addition, the program provides $350 billion to help small businesses with less than 500 employees at a maximum of $10 million per business to retain employees.
A total $100 billion will be allocated to emergency funding to meet the immediate needs of front-line hospitals and health providers who have been strained by the coronavirus response. Help for school districts will total $30.7 billion with $25 million for distance learning in rural areas. A total $19.5 billion has been allocated to help veterans.
A comprehensive summary of the CARES Act has been provided by National Conference of State Legislatures and can be viewed here.
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