Chicago is quickly using $1.8 billion in federal COVID relief funds to address long-term issues, with spending on direct cash assistance, violence prevention, mental health services, homelessness support, and aid for artists, all to be allocated by the end of the year.
Chicago Races to Spend $1.8 Billion in COVID Relief Funds on Vital City Programs Before Year-End Deadline
According to Audacy, Chicago is quickly working to spend $1.8 billion in federal COVID relief money before the end of the year. Budget Director Annette Guzman says this money gives a special chance to fix long-term problems in the city. Some of the spending includes $64 million for direct cash help to families, $23 million for programs to stop violence, and $20 million for mental health services, which will reopen three clinics that were closed before.
The city is also planning to use $32 million to help the homeless and $11 million to support artists who were hurt by the pandemic. Some city officials are worried about what will happen to these programs when the relief money is gone. The Johnson administration must use 10% of the relief funds by December 31 and spend all of the money by 2026, or they will have to return it.
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$1.8 Billion in COVID Relief Funds: Chicago Rushes to Spend Remaining Funds Before Year-End Deadline – Allocating $64M for Guaranteed Income, $23M for Violence Prevention, and More (PHOTO: WTTW News)
Chicago Accelerates Use of $1.8 Billion COVID Relief Funds to Tackle Urgent City Issues
With the deadline getting closer, the Johnson administration is speeding up its plans to use the $1.8 billion in COVID relief funds to help solve the city’s most urgent problems.
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