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Suburbs get coronavirus relief grants

Towns and counties across the suburbs have been awarded a total of $12.2 million in federal funds for coronavirus relief.

The funds are awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, a bipartisan bill signed by President Donald Trump on March 27.

Grant recipients in the 14th District, announced by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood,

are:

Aurora: $902,078

DeKalb: $271,899

Elgin: $510,869

Joliet: $563,076

Naperville: $315,985

Waukegan: $470,215

DuPage County: $2,294,733

Kane County: $796,783

Lake County: $1,709,120

McHenry County: $830,790

Will County: $1,244,264

"This funding will help our communities meet the enormous challenges they face as we fight this virus," Underwood said.

The CARES Act provided $5 billion in Community Development Block Grants and $4 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants for coronavirus response. The grants will help support local programs and services hurt by the coronavirus, including assistance for people to quickly regain permanent housing during this crisis.

Officials in DuPage County, which is receiving the most money, said Thursday they are awaiting guidance from the federal government before deciding how to spend the money.

"Grant monies are intended to assist counties with expenses related to COVID-19 prevention, response, or recovery," county board Chairman Dan Cronin said in a statement. "That can mean things like converting hotels into hospitals, making improvements to nursing homes to prevent the spread of infectious disease, reimbursing non-profit organizations for extra expenses - such as paying for hotel rooms - or providing rent assistance to residents who are at risk of homelessness. We will explore all avenues as we move forward to determine the most effective use of the grant dollars."

Cronin said specific projects will have to be approved by the DuPage County Community Development Commission and the county board.

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