In letter to Congress, Northwest suburban leaders urge local relief

In an effort led by Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, a group of Northwest suburban mayors have penned a letter to the Illinois congressional delegation urging them to provide funding for local governments and small businesses as part of a new COVID-19 relief package.

"Our message is clear: Local governments do not have the resources necessary to offer critical assistance to their constituents, given the crushing effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We need more vaccines, and we need swift economic help," wrote Morrison and the group of 11 bipartisan and nonpartisan local leaders, in the letter sent Thursday night.

It was signed by Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes, Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain, Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig, Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene Juracek, Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, Rolling Meadows Mayor Joe Gallo, Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly, South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie, Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire and Schaumburg Township Supervisor Timothy Heneghan.

President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package has proposed $350 billion for state and local governments, and a $15 billion small business grant program, among other provisions.