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*** UPDATED x1 *** Durbin, Duckworth outline Illinois-specific provisions in Senate’s “American Rescue Plan” bill

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* Press release…

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statements after the Senate passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which will provide emergency relief to Illinois:

“President Biden’s American Rescue plan will improve Illinois’ public health and jumpstart our economy by investing billions of federal dollars in our state. I was proud to help secure provisions with Senator Duckworth to ramp up vaccine distribution efforts; provide a lifeline to workers, small businesses, and families;avoid devastating cuts in state and local government operations; get our kids back to school safely; and much more. We are close to finally putting this pandemic behind us,” Durbin said.

“Relief is coming to hardworking families all across Illinois because of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan,” Duckworth said. “Working together, Senator Durbin and I helped secure billions in investments that will boost our state’s vaccination efforts and testing availability while also delivering the support our working families, childcare programs, transportation systems, schools and small businesses need to get through this pandemic. These investments meet the moment and will help end this deadly pandemic.”

In the battle against COVID-19, emergency help is on the way:

For the hardest hit workers and families:

To open our schools safely:

To avoid dramatic budget cuts at every level of government:

And more:

Transportation:

Housing:

Multiemployer Pension Relief:

Agriculture:

Disaster Relief:

Veterans:

* A bit of context…


The legislation passed 50-49 on a purely party-line vote, with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) not voting due to a family funeral.

The bill now heads back to the House where a vote is expected as early as Tuesday.

— Vox (@voxdotcom) March 6, 2021

* Sen. Duckworth…

“Our nation has lost more than 520,000 Americans to COVID-19 and we simply can’t wait a minute longer to send urgent relief to Illinoisans and struggling families, small businesses and local governments across this country. We are dealing with a once in a generation public health crisis and the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan that my Democratic colleagues and I passed today will help us meet this challenging moment.

“It will immediately put money in the pockets of working families, provide more resources for hard-hit small businesses, help schools safely reopen, boost funding for local municipalities to hire more first responders, extend Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and improve testing as well as vaccine distribution programs so we can get more shots in the arms of Americans. On top of that, this legislation will help cut child poverty nearly in half. When President Biden signs this bill into law, our nation will take yet another important step toward recovering from a pandemic that has upended our country and our world for nearly a year.

“While I’m disappointed that not a single Republican voted for this bill, it’s important to remember that the American Rescue Plan is supported by 76% of Americans—including 60% of Republicans and countless mayors, CEOs, business leaders and economists from both sides of the aisle. Providing our communities with needed resources to recover from this pandemic is common-sense—and it should be above partisan politics.

“It’s clear that we need bold action now to give Americans the resources they need to beat this pandemic, save our economy and start getting us back to our normal, regular lives. I’m proud that our Democratic Caucus is delivering on our promise to the American people to do all we can to get us to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

…Adding… Press release…

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion federal COVID relief package with aid for states and local governments:

“I am glad to see the Biden administration recognize the need states and local governments have for relief in the face of this unprecedented crisis.

“Illinois is receiving millions to distribute vaccines, support local health departments, safely reopen schools and provide direct relief to the hardest hit families.

With this package, we are one step closer to ending this pandemic and coming out stronger on the other side.”

*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times

“I think it may be the most significant assistance given to our state, and the states in general, in my political lifetime,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters at a Zoom Sunday press conference.

posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, Mar 6, 21 @ 11:41 am

Comments

  1. == • Estimated $1.5 billion in transit funding for the Chicago region as part of the $30 billion for transit in the bill, which will help fund operating expenses and payroll for frontline workers of the CTA, Metra, and Pace through 2023. ==

    Looking forward to seeing how this funding breaks out for CTA vs Metra and Pace and if the breakdown is going to be under the control of the RTA.

    Comment by OneMan Monday, Mar 8, 21 @ 9:58 am

  2. Given the generational shift towards “working at home”, I wonder how soon the airlines and RTA are going to need another bailout. I just don’t see people traveling for business as much as they used to.

    Comment by Barn Burner Monday, Mar 8, 21 @ 10:48 am

  3. Thank you Democrats. Absolutely incredible the unwillingness on the part of the GOP to support this at a time of generational crisis.

    Comment by Sonny Monday, Mar 8, 21 @ 11:20 am

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