In our July 6 "News and Views" e-newsletter (linked here) we shared information about the Local CURE program.

"Units of local government" means counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, and units, designated as units of local government by law, which exercise limited governmental powers or powers in respect to limited governmental subjects, but does not include school districts. (Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 1.) 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) requested that ISACo highlight the following information: 

The Local CURE Program...

• Is a local government assistance program which applies to all units of local government (as defined by the Illinois Constitution) outside of Cook, Lake, Will, Kane and DuPage counties.
• Is federally funded from the Coronavirus Relief Fund using dollars allocated to Illinois through the CARES Act.
• Will reimburse units of local government for costs that:
• are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19;
• were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the unit of local government; and
• were incurred during the period beginning March 1, 2020 and ending December 30, 2020. 

These funds will assist units of local government to secure reimbursement on eligible costs associated with the emergency response to the ongoing COVID-19 Crisis.  

• The Local CURE Program website (linked here)
• Municipalities, Counties, and Certified Local Public Health Departments DO NOT need to apply for assistance. In mid-July, these units of local government will receive an agreement from DCEO which will list the maximum allotment. Starting August 1, the units can start submitting reimbursement requests with documentation to the State up to the allotment amount for reimbursement. Please provide contact information to DCEO by completing the application form (linked here).
• Per Capita Formula Allotments for Counties and Municipalities (linked here)
• Per Capita and Low-Income Population Distributions to Certified Local Public Health Departments (linked here)
• The program administrative rules (linked here) will be considered by JCAR after being added to an upcoming meeting agenda. 
• As summarized below in the timeline, starting on July 6 – 17, units of local government other than municipalities, counties, or certified public health departments, can apply for reimbursement under the program on eligible expenses. Local governments serving areas which have been most disproportionately impact by the COVID-19 public health emergency will be prioritized in the application process. List of Zip Codes for these areas (linked here).  Application for this third category of units of local government is on the website (linked here) 

The timeline for the program:

July 1

Program details are made available on DCEO’s website.

July 6

Open application for other units of local government (not counties or municipalities).

July 17

Close application for other units of local government (not counties or municipalities).

July 29

Host technical assistance webinar.

August 1

Reimbursement period begins.

November 1

DCEO to conduct an optional reallocation of funds to areas with remaining need.

December 30