South Cook News

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) today voted with nearly every member of the House to allocate $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus. The Senate is expected to take up the bill by the end of the week and send it to President Trump's desk.

The approved funding package includes:

• $2.2 billion toward the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in support of their response efforts, including $950 million for state and community efforts to test for the virus, monitor outbreaks, assess risks, and control outbreaks if they occur.
• $3 billion dedicated to research and development of vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tools.
• $1 billion to support preparedness efforts including the provision of medical supplies to state and local health agencies experiencing shortages in the face of a potential outbreak.
• $1 billion to ease the economic burden on small businesses negatively affected by the coronavirus
• $300 million to support access to affordable vaccines.

“I am closely monitoring the situation with the coronavirus and taking action to protect residents of Illinois’ Third District and all Americans from the disease,” said Congressman Lipinski. “Residents of the Third District should visit the CDC website for the latest information on the illness and to learn how to reduce their risks. This bipartisan funding bill passed today is an important first step in our efforts to combat the illness. I will continue to work toward new and innovative solutions to COVID-19.”

Congressman Lipinski has also been working to ensure that first responders, local officials and healthcare providers have access to the resources they need to fight the virus and the public is kept aware of the latest developments.

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus and information on how to reduce your risks, Congressman Lipinski recommends visiting the CDC’s website at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html