Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois' 6th Congressional District issued the following announcement on May 11.

U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) hosted a Zoom video conference with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and 30 local leaders from IL-06 including County Board Chairs, Village Presidents, and City Mayors to discuss the need to prioritize state and local funding in the next coronavirus emergency funding package.

The call follows a bipartisan letter Rep. Casten and 41 local leaders sent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging stabilized, equitable per-capita distribution of funds to states in the next coronavirus emergency relief package.

Casten said, “As Illinois continues to get hit hard by the coronavirus, our local leaders need to be confident they will receive the necessary funding and resources from the federal government. Today’s discussion served as an opportunity for 6th District leaders to advocate for much needed federal assistance and share the challenges they are facing in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. It was also an opportunity to hear directly from Leader Hoyer on priorities in the next CARES package, including for our state and local governments. I’m thankful for his continued leadership, dedication to my constituents, and his willingness to engage during this unprecedented time.”

Leader Hoyer said, “Local leaders are on the front lines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from them on what is needed in the next CARES Act package. It is important to make sure local communities can keep first responders, health care workers and teachers on the job during this unprecedented crisis. I offer my thanks to Rep. Casten for his leadership, and to everyone who joined the conference call for their work on behalf of the residents of IL-06.”

High population states like Illinois are left at a disadvantage when it comes to federal spending. This inequality was perpetuated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the third package in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic that incorporated a very inequitable spending formula for emergency grants to states and municipalities. Citizens in states with populations above 3.5 million received, on average just $390 per capita, while citizens of less populous states received as much as $2100 per person – over five times larger.

It’s projected that the economic fall-out of COVID19 will cause Illinois’ revenue to drop by $2.7 billion this year and $4.6 billion next year.

The bipartisan call included: Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart; McHenry County Board Chair Jack D. Franks; Algonquin Village President John Schmitt; Darien Mayor Joseph A. Marchese; Deer Park Village President Dale Sands; Downers Grove Mayor Bob Barnett; East Dundee Village President Lael Miller; Glen Ellyn Village President Diane McGinley and Village Manager Mark Franz; Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig; Hawthorn Woods Mayor Dominick DiMaggio; Hinsdale Village Manager Kathleen Gargano; Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod; Inverness Village Mayor Jack Tatooles; Kildeer Village President Nandia Black; Lake Barrington Trustee Randy Rigby; Lake Zurich Village Mayor Tom Poynton; Lombard Village President Keith Giagnorio; Oak Brook Village Manager Rick Ginex; Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen; Port Barrington Village President Shannon Yeaton; St. Charles Mayor Raymond Rogina; Sleepy Hollow Village President Stephen Pickett; West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda; Westmont Mayor Ron Gunter; Wheaton Mayor Philip Suess; Willowbrook Mayor Frank Trilla; Lakewood Mayor Phil Stephan; and Winfield Mayor Erik Spande.

Original source can be found here.