Illinois Valley Times

With more than $7 billion in anticipated COVID-19 relief funds on its way to Illinois, lawmakers are debating how to use the federal funding. 

Some legislators, including state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), are against funneling the money into state programs short on funding when many Illinois small businesses and families did not receive adequate help during the pandemic. 

"It's important to know that this over $7 billion influx of money from the federal government is a one-time payment," Rezin said on an Illinois Lawmakers Panel. She noted that Pritzker's office has already committed to using almost half to pay off backlogged bills. "Many people and many departments throughout the state [...] have challenges because of the pandemic."

The education system is an example, Rezin said. With teachers and families struggling through the transition to virtual instruction and back, the state's public school system has faced many challenges. 

"We need to make sure that the money is spent wisely," Rezin told the panel, "and also recognize that we cannot start new programs that are permanent. This is a one-time flux of money. It's meant to help the state get back on its feet, and that's all."

An opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune suggested a piece of the pie be used to revamp the Business Interruption Grant Program, which awarded grants to 20% of the businesses that struggled with property tax bills and operating expenses last year. 

The piece also suggested continuing housing assistance for families that continue to struggle with mortgage and rent payments because of the pandemic. 

Since the current 2022 state budget plans to borrow over $3 billion from the Federal Reserve, the Tribune column suggested using the aid to pay off short-term debt and avoid a strain when the multi-billion-dollar loan to the feds comes due.