Duckworth Meets with Illinois Municipal League to Discuss American Rescue Plan’s Relief Funding for Local Governments

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today held a virtual meeting with the Illinois Municipal League (IML) to share updates on local government relief as part of President Biden’s recently-enacted American Rescue Plan. Duckworth was joined by IML Preside Brad Cole; IML Board President Ricky Gottman, Mayor of Vandalia; and IML members from across the state to discuss how relief dollars can be spent by municipalities, as well as the need for swift guidance from the Treasury Department to ensure states distribute funding to small governments as quickly as possible.

“In every round of COVID relief legislation, I’ve called for more direct and more flexible uses for this funding for local governments,” Duckworth said. “We know our local governments have been hurting – which is why it’s important municipalities of all sizes have access and flexibility with relief funding as soon as possible. It’s one way we can help ensure our communities have the resources they need to recover from COVID-19.”

Last week, 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. Though the American Rescue Plan provides more direct funding to local governments, more than 1,200 small cities, villages and towns throughout Illinois must wait for the state to distribute its funding. Throughout the pandemic Duckworth has continuously called for maximum flexibility and fairness for local relief dollars.

The Illinois Municipal League is an advocacy organization representing the nearly 1,300 local governments in Illinois, comprising mayors and village presidents from across the state.

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