Will County Board Working To Distribute Coronavirus Relief Funds

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Will County Board is moving closer to distributing more than $120.5 million in relief funds from the federal government in response to the coronavirus 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 and Bolingbrook Democrat Ken Harris.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by congress provided a lump sum of revenue to the Will County Board, a release states. The board has to now determine who is eligibility for funds and how to best accept applications and deliver the funds.

Last month, County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey appointed an ad-hoc committee that will oversee the distribution of the funds.

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,” Harris said in a release. “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 the coronavirus. 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.

According to a release, the board is expected to appropriate the funds at the June board meeting. A vendor will also be selected to help navigate requirements and expedite the flow of funds.

“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 said in a release. “The people need this relief.”