Illinois pumping out billions of tax {dollars} in COVID assist to public, non-public sectors
The state of Illinois is pumping a whole lot of thousands and thousands of taxpayer {dollars} out the door for COVID-19 aid, and the cash goes out in all places, together with into non-public fingers.
A part of greater than $160 billion of taxpayer sources in COVID-relief the U.S. Congress authorized by everything of the pandemic for Illinois is funds to personal companies, native taxing our bodies and landlords.
There are additionally billions for colleges. Some are crucial of the strings connected to the funds.
In a viral video recorded earlier than the Vandalia faculty board final month, mum or dad Carol Kerr took officers to activity for implementing COVID-19 insurance policies she disagrees with to entry thousands and thousands of {dollars}.
“Hiding $5,750,000 from us after which telling us you’re masking our kids for his or her well being is unconscionable,” Kerr mentioned.
Massive Unit Faculty District Affiliation Govt Director John Burkey mentioned districts need to observe COVID-19 protocols to get the funds. And college officers are “pushed actually onerous” in numerous areas.
“So the funds are getting used as nicely to assist them accomplish the COVID-related activity whereas that need to preserve being directors for different facets of the varsity, and academics as nicely,” Burkey mentioned.
In complete, Ok-12 colleges throughout the state are in line for almost $9 billion in COVID assist.
Landlords are sharing in $443 million. That’s from greater than $500 million out there.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s eviction moratorium that’s been in place for almost 20 months expires Monday. He mentioned they’re pushing the {dollars} out. He expects the courts to as nicely.
“They are going to be referring individuals who haven’t but utilized for rental help to go do this so that they received’t be evicted, as a result of there are individuals who simply haven’t utilized but,” Pritzker mentioned.
Round $250 million can be out there for companies. Illinois Division of Commerce and Financial Alternative Director Sylvia Garcia mentioned there’s a deadline of Oct. 13 to use.
“[Back to Business] grants can be utilized to cowl operational bills like hire, payroll, working capital,” Garcia mentioned. “And, as has been talked about, these are grants, not loans. So that you do not need to pay them again. That’s one of the best half. You don’t need to pay them again.”
There’s additionally $742 million for smaller native governments. The deadline to say these funds was Thursday. Unclaimed taxpayer funds will be despatched to different districts which have continued want.
