Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) is applauding the passage of the CARES Act - the single largest relief package in American history.
The $2 trillion legislation includes funds to help see the country through the economic and healthcare crises sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Everything is designed to help with the coronavirus. Any business that has been impacted negatively, any family that has been impacted negatively, our first responders," Bustos said on a media call Friday. "That is how this was written, and that's how the entire $2 trillion is designed to be able to help in light of that."
Direct cash payments of up to $1200 per person or $2400 per family will go out in the next few weeks. Those payments begin to phase out for people with an annual income of $75,000 or more, or a household making $150,000 a year or more. Bustos said people who filed their income taxes electronically will receive faster payments.
Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) also approved sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.
“While I have real concerns about some provisions in the bill, as well as the massive amount of deficit spending, I am also worried about delaying support for millions of hurting Americans and the prospect of a costly recession for our country. No compromise is perfect, and this pandemic requires each of us to put aside our differences and provide relief for Illinoisans and Americans," said LaHood in a written statement.
The bill also includes $150 billion in coronavirus relief funds for states. Illinois is set to receive $4.9 billion. $260 billion in additional unemployment benefits funding will provide an additional $600 a week for the next four months, 13 more weeks of federally-funded benefits, and allows the self-employed and independent contractors to also file for unemployment.
The CARES Act also includes $375 billion in small business relief and $200 billion for hospitals and healthcare workers to purchase personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other needed items.
"This is a big step forward to bring relief to our country, in times like we've never seen before, but we know it won't be the last step," said Bustos.
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