Illinois House GOP Delegation has issued a letter to Congress urging the passage of legislation to prevent governors from withholding federal money from municipalities. Representatives Darin LaHood and Rodney Davis joined their GOP Congressional colleagues John Shimkus, Adam Kinzinger, and Mike Bost in penning a letter to Congress to take action to prevent governors from withholding federal funds appropriated by Congress for local municipalities that allow their small businesses to reopen in accordance with federal health guidelines, but ahead of arbitrary timelines outlined by states.
The letter comes 48 hours after Governor J.B. Pritzker said that municipalities and businesses would be held liable for COVID-19 damage, and would have FEMA-controlled money withheld if they violated his Restore Illinois plan and executive orders. The letter says that many municipalities have laid out safe plans to reopen within federal guidelines and that no governor in any state should be allowed to hinder the flow of federal money. The letter also highlighted the regional efforts and diversity of the state as a key to Illinois’ success in fighting the virus. They say by cutting off the federal money, it would further hinder and harm states’ economies.
According to CBS Chicago, Illinois currently ranks 29th in the U.S. in tests administered per 1 million people and the state currently ranks 9th in terms of deaths per capita in the nation.