August 14, 2021

Duckworth Discusses Importance of American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Funding for Local Governments with Lake County Mayors

 

[NORTH CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Lake County municipal leaders to discuss how federal funding in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) can help municipal governments recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and build back an economy that works for everyone. The group also discussed the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the impact infrastructure funding will have in Northern Illinois. In total, Illinois will receive more than $13 billion in relief funding from ARP, with municipalities in Lake County eligible to receive more than $87 million. Illinois is also expected to receive at least $17 billion in infrastructure funding if IIJA becomes law. Photos from today’s meeting are available here.

“We know our local governments are hurting from the economic impacts of COVID-19,” Duckworth said. “I’m pleased Illinois municipalities across Lake County are receiving this critical funding directly as a result of Democrats’ efforts to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. It’s important local governments have the necessary resources to recover from COVID-19, and I’ll keep doing all that I can to support communities all across Illinois, including working to ensure we get a comprehensive infrastructure plan signed into law so we can begin rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, expanding access to critical broadband services for students and working families and upgrading our nation’s water systems.”

Duckworth met with North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Wadsworth Village President Glenn Ryback, Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit, Kildeer President Nandia Black, Zion Mayor Billy McKinney and Volo Mayor Stephen Henley.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act fully authorizes Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA), which would help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure, and includes a modified version of her All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act to help make transit stations more accessible.

In May, U.S. Treasury Department began accepting eligible state and local government requests for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to help COVID-19 response efforts, strengthen support for public services and help retain jobs, assist small businesses and address systemic public health and economic challenges. Last month, non-entitlement governments became eligible to request funding through the State of Illinois.

Earlier this year, Duckworth wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressing the need for quick and flexible guidance from Treasury to states so local governments can get relief immediately. Throughout the pandemic Duckworth continuously called for maximum flexibility and fairness for local relief dollars.

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