Schneider Highlights Federal Coronavirus Funding for Tenth District Communities

Today, Congressman Schneider highlighted some of the recently announced federal funding for Tenth District communities as part of funding packages passed by Congress to address the coronavirus epidemic.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded grants to 1,387 health centers nationwide as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Supplemental Funding (CARES Act). HRSA-funded health centers may use the awards to help communities across the country detect coronavirus; prevent, diagnose, and treat COVID-19; and maintain or increase health capacity and staffing levels to address this public health emergency. Within the Tenth Congressional District, this includes:

• Lake County - $1.49 million
• Erie Family Health Center (Chicago & Waukegan) - $2.26 million

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded grants, as authorized in the CARES Act, to communities across the country through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) programs. These funds can be used to help states, communities, and nonprofits construct medical facilities and expand capacity of hospitals; help America's homeless population; and aid Americans with compromised immune systems. Within the Tenth Congressional District, this includes more than $12.75 million:

• $2.48 million for Lake County (CDBG & ESG)
• $9.47 million for Cook County (CDBG & ESG)
• $470k for Waukegan (CDBG)
• $180k for Des Plaines (CDBG)
• $154k for Mount Prospect (CDBG)

In March, HHS, through HRSA, awarded grants to 1,381 health centers across the country with funding provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (the first coronavirus relief package). Within the Tenth Congressional District, this includes:

• $103k for Lake County

"Our communities are on the frontlines of this crisis, and they need resources from the federal government. Congress acted quickly to pass the CARES Act, and it is vital the Administration act with similar haste to set guidelines so our states and smaller communities can plan for the help that is in the pipeline. I am continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure future funding packages include more direct aid to smaller communities who need our help the most," said Schneider.

Last week, Schneider urged the U.S. Treasury to help struggling local governments by promptly finalizing guidance and beginning to disburse funds authorized by the CARES Act to states as soon as possible. The CARES Act does not allow for localities with populations under 500,000 to receive stabilization funds directly from the U.S. Treasury and instead states will need to issue sub-grants to meet the needs of smaller communities.