News and Announcements

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, supported by Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, was recently passed in the House of Representatives. The legislation is expected to be taken up in the Senate soon and signed into law by the President. This is the second legislative package moved by Congress to address the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act prioritizes the needs of hardworking Americans in order to help them navigate challenging financial times. The bill also helps families make good public health decisions by removing barriers and empowering people to follow medical advice.

The package includes:

• Free Coronavirus testing: No one will be denied a test due to cost.
• An Emergency Paid Leave Program: Up to two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave for employers with fewer than 500 employees.
• Food Assistance: Support for nutrition security initiatives including SNAP, student meals, meals for seniors and food banks. In the 14 counties that Illinois’ 17th Congressional District covers, 55.2% of school-age kids are eligible for free or reduced cost lunches. Now that schools across Illinois are closed through the month, we must make sure our children are not left without a mea.l
• Enhanced Unemployment Benefits: States must have the resources and flexibility to provide unemployment benefits to laid off and furloughed workers.

Congresswoman Bustos’ office has conducted outreach to every hospital in Illinois 17th Congressional District, the Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, every county health department in the district, and several community health clinics. She has also been working closely with Governor J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in order to better help advocate for the district at the federal level.

In the interest of public health and to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ offices in Illinois and Washington, DC, will no longer be taking walk-in appointments. However, she will continue to serve Illinoisans electronically and via telephone. She may be reached at 309.786.3406 (Rock Island Office), 309.966.1813 (Peoria Office) and(815) 968.8011 (Rockford office).

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Illinois Department of Public Health.