04.01.21

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $270 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Community Health Centers for COVID-19 Response in Illinois

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that 45 Community Health Centers (CHCs) throughout Illinois will receive a total of $270 million in federal funding to support COVID-19 vaccination and health services for vulnerable populations in urban and rural parts of the state. The funding, which was appropriated through the American Rescue Plan, will be awarded beginning in April by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). 

“Illinois Community Health Centers have been an integral part of our COVID-19 response, addressing health disparities in urban and rural areas and providing essential health services to more than one million Illinoisans. That’s why Senator Duckworth and I fought to pass the American Rescue Plan, which recognizes the value of CHCs and the importance of equitable care,” Durbin said. 

“Before and throughout this pandemic, underserved communities have depended on Community Health Centers for affordable, accessible care,” Duckworth said. “Even after the COVID-19 public health crisis is behind us, more than a million Illinoisans will continue to rely on CHCs, which is one of the reasons I’m proud that funding from the American Rescue Plan will keep supporting these vital providers in the communities hit hardest by the pandemic, I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin to help ensure all Illinoisans have access to the care they need throughout this pandemic and beyond.”

A list of Illinois health centers and their funding amounts is available HERE. 

Health centers will be able to use the funds to support and expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations; deliver needed preventive and primary health care services to those at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units. This investment will help increase access to vaccinations among hard-hit populations, as well as confidence in the vaccine by empowering local, trusted health professionals in their efforts to expand vaccinations.

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