07.15.20

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Response With Mayors Lightfoot And Rockingham

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr., who is President of the Illinois Municipal League, to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response and federal relief programs.  Topics included assistance to state and local governments, testing, and relief for local small businesses. 

“I am thankful for the leadership of Mayors Lightfoot and Rockingham during this unprecedented crisis. I appreciated hearing about how their cities are responding to the many challenges of the pandemic and what they are looking for in the next federal relief bill,” Durbin said. “I understand that families and businesses are in need of relief, and that we have to increase our ability to test people for the virus.  I remain committed to working to ensure the federal government is doing everything it can to assist the state and our local communities in responding to this national crisis.”

On the call, Durbin discussed provisions he is fighting for in the Senate’s next coronavirus package, including increased funding for state and local governments and flexibility for the use of these funds to replace lost revenues. 

It's been two months since the House passed the HEROES Act, which includes $1 trillion to state and local governments and $75 billion for testing and contact tracing. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has refused to bring the legislation to the Senate floor for a debate and vote. 

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