American Rescue Plan funds available for local governments

• American Rescue Plan
• ARPA Funds

Eligible local governments in Illinois are now able to claim over $742 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

With Illinois' non-entitlement unit allocations from ARPA, eligible NEUs may claim their allocation by completing submissions to the NEU Portal.  Per federal guidance, NEUs that do not submit information by September 30th, 2021 will forfeit their allocation.

Local non-entitlement units eligible for funding:

Blue Island city - $3,112,986.45 1

Calumet Park village - $1,033,447.88 2

Crestwood village - $1,455,418.71 1

Oak Forest city - $3,694,012.00 1

Robbins village - $739,264.61 1

Alsip village - $2,543,380.22 1

Funds may be used to cover revenue losses, the costs of responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and invest in certain infrastructure projects. A full list of eligible Illinois NEUs can be viewed here.

Visit the DCEO website to learn more.

New Jones-sponsored law to increase the diversity of corporate boards

• Diversity
• LGBTQ

CHICAGO - A new law sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) will help increase the diversity of Illinois’ business community.

“Diversity is an important aspect of the business community,” Jones said. “All historically discriminated against communities deserve representation in the business world.”

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New law will increase the diversity of interview panels for state agencies

• Minority,
• Diversity
• Interview Panels

CHICAGO - A new law co-sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) will remove a huge barrier that minorities and marginalized people face when obtaining state level employment. 

“Illinois is a very diverse state, and state agencies should reflect that diversity,” Jones said. “Panels that incorporate interviewers who share a similar background with the applicant will help ensure the best people are hired.”

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Jones supports law to remove racist restrictive racial covenants from property deeds

• Homeowners
• Property Deeds

SPRINGFIELD- A new law supported by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) will make it easier for homeowners to remove racist and restrictive language concerning racial covenants from their property deeds.

“Racial covenants on homes are an ugly piece of history,” Jones said. “No one should encounter difficulties in removing this racist, restrictive, and outdated language from their property deeds.”

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