HR0923 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0923 LRB101 22464 LAW 73546 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois is coping with a global outbreak of the coronavirus, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to widespread illness and death and has disrupted the lives of all Illinoisans; and

WHEREAS, The Governor of Illinois has issued a series of emergency executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Illinois public and private colleges have faced unprecedented financial challenges, spending hundreds of millions of dollars in unbudgeted funds supporting their students, faculty, and staff; these colleges have also had to reduce programs in addition to laying off and furloughing workers; and

WHEREAS, Many Illinois public and private college students are African American or Latinx and first-generation college students, meaning they are the first in their family to go to college, and they are facing an urgent situation because of family financial pressures; and

WHEREAS, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress brought only minimal relief to Illinois public and private colleges and universities for investments in campus safety, including social distancing, sanitation, and diagnostic testing measures; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the U.S. Congress to approve a COVID-19 relief package of at least $120 billion that includes funding for public and private colleges and universities for student and institutional needs, reopening costs, technology costs, and lost revenue due to the pandemic and also includes limited liability protection for these institutions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to each member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation and the President of the United States.