McHenry Times

Illinois House Republicans want the General Assembly to oversee the more than $7 billion appropriations of funds the state will receive as part of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package that President Joe Biden signed in March.

Illinois Republicans want to see that money used to support businesses and individuals who still are struggling due to COVID-19 and the continuing restrictions placed through the state.

"Our state needs to be transparent about where the new federal relief funds will be spent and ensure we support the small businesses and Illinois families most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said in a Facebook post March 17. 

Reps. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) and C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) agree along with Ugaste said the funds need to be used appropriately instead of being used to make new state programs or as a "magic bailout."

"These are dollars that are designated by the federal government to provide relief to the governments, businesses and individuals and families across the country who have been impacted by COVID-19 and the related closures and restrictions of everyday life that we've all been through," Demmer said in a Daily Herald report.

According to an NBC 5 Chicago report, Illinois will receive $13.2 billion, with $7.5 billion to go toward state funding alone. Democrats and Republicans agree that at least $3 billion should go toward paying back what Illinois borrowed from the Federal Reserve. 

"We still have to make some difficult decisions,” Davidsmeyer said, the Daily Herald reported. “I think we need to get together, sit down, be transparent in this process, and work together to pass a truly balanced budget that doesn't use the federal dollars to fill holes but to get us out of the holes," 

Illinois plans to put $7.2 million toward state veterans' homes, $1.3 billion toward child care providers in the state, $1.7 billion toward Amtrak, $400 million toward Illinois airports and $1.3. billion toward Illinois' colleges and universities. 

According to NBC5Chicago, part of the stimulus bill does include an unemployment extension until Sept. 6, and a 15% increase in SNAP benefits.