Illinois to release $275 million for households impacted by COVID-19

Illinois will dedicate $275 million through two programs to assist residents impacted by COVID-19 with food, rent, utilities, temporary shelter, medicine and other essential household services.

That includes an additional $90 million announced Monday by Gov. JB Pritzker. The new funds, which come from the federal CARES Act and were included in the recently approved budget, will allow the state to increase eligibility for 1 million income-qualified Illinoisans.

“The work to build a state that serves all its people – no matter who they are or what part of Illinois they call home – is more important than ever as we seek to restore our economy while continuing to prioritize our collective health,” Pritzker said.

Applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which will oversee the distribution of the funds, will partner with 35 statewide community action agencies to conduct outreach in high-need communities.

“COVID-19 has not only resulted in an unprecedented global health crisis, but it has also led to an extraordinary economic crisis as well – causing many Illinois families to turn to safety net programs like these,” said Michael Negron, acting director of the department.

There were 19 COVID-19 related deaths on Monday, bringing the state’s total death count to 6,326. It was the second-straight day with 19 reported deaths, the lowest daily number in over two months.

An additional 473 cases were reported, bringing the state’s total to 133,016 in 101 counties.

As of Monday, a total of 1,209,612 COVID-19 tests have been completed. The positivity rate for tests over the past seven days is 3 percent.

Forty-four percent of Illinois’ 35,152 hospital beds were available as of Monday morning. Forty-eight percent of the state’s 3,882 ICU beds were available, as were 73 percent of its 5,983 ventilators. All four regions of the state remain on track to enter phase four of Pritzker’s reopening plan by June 26.

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