Invests hundreds of millions in Illinois community health centers and health workforces.Adds public health money for Illinois health departments.Provides some $275 million in vaccine distribution money for Illinois.In the battle against COVID-19, emergency aid is increased: The American Rescue Plan will provide some $13.2 billion in flexible, direct aid for Illinois state government, cities and counties to help cope with the revenues lost due to the pandemic in a time of rising demand for vital public services.To avoid drastic budget cuts at every level of government: It reimburses families for up to 50% of the cost of child care expenses. The 2021 maximum dependent care tax credit, which offsets the cost of care for children under 13 and other dependents, is increased to $4,000 for families with one child and $8,000 for those with two or more children.The increases in the maximum begin to phase out for heads of households making $112,500 and married couples making $150,000. The 2021 maximum child tax credit is increased from $2,000 to $3,600 for each child under 6 and $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17. The Rescue Plan includes a very significant one-year expansion of support for children and dependent care.Employees who lose their health insurance coverage due to involuntary job loss or a reduction in hours are eligible for a federal subsidy that covers 100% of the premium for COBRA continuation coverage from April 1 through Sept.Lowers health premiums on the Affordable Care Act for the average Illinois couple by $1,300.Up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits will be exempt from federal income taxes for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans that have claimed unemployment insurance benefits in 2020.Extends federal unemployment programs through September 6, which affects 205,000 Illinoisans claiming Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and 251,000 Illinoisans claiming Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.This targeted relief is expected to benefit 85% of all Illinois adults and 83% of all Illinois children. Individual adults with income of $75,000 or less (or two-adult households with income under $150,000) will receive a stimulus payment of $1,400, as well as $1,400 for each dependent.The following summary describes some of the key parts of the law of importance to AFSCME members. “Among many other things, this landmark legislation will deliver families a vital economic lifeline in the form of $1,400 checks, protect health care coverage for those who have lost their jobs and invest in the public services we need to finally crush this virus.” Help is here “This is a historic victory for public service workers and working families across the country,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. Throughout the past year, AFSCME members generated calls and letters to Congress and the White House urging the nation’s leadership to “Fund the Front Lines.” When the previous administration and Senate majority tried to walk away from their responsibility to the American middle class, AFSCME organized and mobilized, helping elect President Biden and end Mitch McConnell’s barricade of the legislation in the Senate. As usual, our union never quit until the job was done.”
“We can be proud of the part AFSCME played in securing these sorely needed investments.
“This measure is a remarkable achievement that will shore up our middle class and help the most vulnerable in our communities while ensuring our state and local governments can meet the needs of their residents,” Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. This COVID-19 relief legislation provides significant new resources to fight the pandemic, help working people and families, aid states and local government and jump start the economy. On March 11, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. MaPresident Biden’s American Rescue Plan brings help to Illinois
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