Newsletter: Coronavirus Updates

As always, I hope this email finds you healthy and well. Today marks five weeks since Governor Pritzker issued his stay at home order, and yesterday, the Governor extended the order through the end of May. I know this situation is challenging for so many families and local businesses, but ultimately the steps we are taking are necessary to prevent the spread of the virus and protect the health of ourselves, our neighbors and our communities.

Congress continues to work on addressing the impacts of the pandemic and assist people, businesses and communities get through the crisis. Yesterday I was in Washington to vote for additional emergency funding for small businesses, hospitals, and testing. We just received guidance that the SBA will begin accepting applications from approved Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lenders again on Monday, April 27 at 9:30am CT.

We also had a full hearing in the Small Business Committee, providing all members so share their experiences, perspectives and priorities from their districts. I share more details below as well as the priorities I'm working to include in the next legislative package.

Finally, I want to end this Friday email with some positive news. Please consider participating in our collection of virtual cards for local front line workers, and read some good news stories (including a viral music video hit by a local Mundelein student).

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Congress Passes Interim Funding Package for Small Business

Yesterday, I voted for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (or CARES 1.5), an interim emergency package to offer critical help to small businesses in Illinois and around the country that are in a desperate need. I recorded the below video just before heading to the floor to vote:

The SBA will begin accepting applications from approved Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lenders again on Monday, April 27 at 9:30am CT. In addition to new applications, the SBA is urging lenders process loan applications previously submitted by eligible borrowers and disburse funds expeditiously. If you previously applied for PPP and have not received a confirmation email from your lender, you should follow up with your lender for a status update.

Through effective negotiations, I am proud Democrats increased the amount of funding from the Administrations original request of $250 to $310 billion for the small business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Even this larger amount will be quickly depleted so it's important for local business to get their application complete as soon as possible.

To help smaller businesses, the House negotiated set-asides of $60 billion of funds for small community-based lenders to help get this money to the small businesses that most need our help. We must not have more stories of large, publicly-traded companies securing funding intended for small businesses and I will hold the Trump Administration accountable to do a better, more transparent job distributing this second phase of funding.

Also, the House secured additional resources to greatly expand the capacity of the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program by more than $300 billion dollars. I know many local businesses had applied for EIDL funds in early March and were still waiting to hear about the status of their loan. I hope these additional funds will help ease the burden, but we still need the SBA to effectively process the loans to get the money to anxious borrowers as soon as possible.

To that end, at yesterday's House Small Business Committee hearing, I spoke about the need for the Trump Administration to do a better job setting guidelines for both loan applicants and lenders, and communicating the status of loans with small businesses. Watch the clip below:

I also communicated directly with SBA Administrator Carranza on a call Wednesday to relay these same concerns. You can read a summary of the call on our website.

While more needs to be done, I want to emphasize that loans are going out. The SBA put out more loans in 14 days than they have in 14 years, but we still need to raise the bar. Below are the latest numbers we've received from the SBA for Illinois:

Paycheck Protection Program in Illinois as of 4/16/2020

• 69,893 approved loans
• $15,972,578,071 total borrowed

SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in Illinois as of 4/19/2020

• 793 approved loans
• $168,341,900 total

Emergency Injury Disaster Loan Advances (EIDLA) in Illinois as of 4/19/2020

• 27,550 approved loans
• $123,101,000 total

CARES 1.5 Package Also Includes Funding for Hospitals and Testing

I also applaud the $75 billion in yesterday's bill for desperately stressed hospitals and health care workers, including for personal protective equipment (PPE). As well, the legislation includes $25 billion for testing, and a commitment by the Administration to pursue a national testing strategy, which is an important step in the right direction. I have long been calling for a coordinated national response on medical supply chain issues and testing shortages, and will continue to advocate for a non-political supply chain ‘czar' to direct our national response.

Priorities for Next Legislation (CARES 2.0)

Yesterday's bill will not be the last action required to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. We must do more, including helping our state and local governments on the front lines of the crisis. I also want to address funding issues facing the USPS and begin developing a nationwide vote-by-mail plan to prepare for November's election. Finally, it's vitally important that Congress develop procedures to work remotely – as so many other businesses have during this crisis – so we can continue voting and conducing necessary oversight. My hope is that Congress will be able to put aside partisan politics and work together in the same spirit of cooperation that has been displayed by the American people communities across the country.

COLLECTING THANK YOU NOTES FOR FRONT LINE WORKERS

I am still inviting constituents of all ages to create and submit notes of thanks via an online portal for workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we work to lower the curve of the virus in Illinois by practicing social distancing and staying home, there remain thousands of people in essential roles unable to do so. From health care workers and first responders to delivery drivers, grocery staff and more, these essential workers are working every day to keep our community safe and healthy. We all owe them all an immense thank you.

Children are invited to participate as well by writing notes or uploading a drawing to show their thanks. We will distribute the submissions virtually.

More information on our website.

GOOD NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITIES

I applaud the initiative from Battelle in Waukegan to help address the shortage of personal protective equipment by sterilizing up to 80,000 masks a day free of charge for local hospitals and first responders. Read the story in the Chicago Tribune.

I was lifted up reading about the outpouring of support for this community blood drive in Vernon Hills which exceeded the group's collection goal and actually had to turn away donors. Read the story in the Vernon Hills Review. And by the efforts of the community to deliver meals for health care workers at Advocate Condell Medical Center. Read the story in the Libertyville Review.

Finally, to start your weekend with a smile, you have to watch "The Coronavirus Song" a viral hit made by a local Mundelein student and her dad, Chloe and Paul Langford:

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Stay safe, stay strong and stay healthy!