Will County Board to Distribute $120.5 Million in Federal Relief Funds

The Will County Board has announced they are working on a process to distribute $120,500,000 dollars in federal funds provided by The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Press release from the Will County Board: 

"JOLIET - The Will County Board is moving closer to distributing more than $120.5 million in federal relief funds that were provided by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working as quickly as possible to get these vital funds to local taxing bodies, farmers, business owners and others who desperately need relief after the economic pain that occurred due to COVID- 19,” said Will County Board member Ken Harris (D-Bolingbrook). 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by congress provided a lump sum of revenue to the Will County Board. The board must now determine who is eligible for the funds and how to best accept applications and deliver those funds. Last month, County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey appointed an ad-hoc committee that will oversee the distribution of the funds.

Ken Harris serves as chair of the CARES Funding Committee and says that they are examining the rules for how the money must be allocated. “We need to get this money out into the community as soon as possible,” said Harris. “Part of that challenge is navigating the requirements of where and how the funds can be used.”

Harris said that a substantial portion of the funds will be directed to local taxing bodies which provide vital services to residents and have been impacted by COVID-19. Small businesses and farmers will also receive a large portion of the funding followed by housing and food relief, not-for-profits and other miscellaneous categories.

The board is expected to appropriate the funds at their June county board meeting. They will also select a vendor to help navigate requirements and expedite the flow of funds to the community.


“The committee and the board are working diligently to get these funds out,” said Minority Leader and Vice Chair of the ad-hoc committee Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen). “The people need this relief.”"

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