FEMA offers $8.1M to Illinois Emergency Management Agency to ease COVID-19 costs

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted more than $8.1 million to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) this week to help it cover costs accrued by the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic after a federal disaster declaration in March.

In all, the funds stem from two grants, the larger of which will help reimburse the state agency for costs to provide medical care and support to correctional facilities. The other will reimburse IEMA for costs to provide non-congregate housing for quarantine, isolation, and modified isolation of COVID-19 patients, those exposed and those listed as high-risk. FEMA provides a 75 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for such projects.

“FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is an important resource for communities affected by COVID-19,” Kevin Sligh, acting regional administrator of FEMA Region 5, said. “This funding was critical to support medical care and protective measures necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.”

Cases continue to rise in Illinois, as they have nationwide. The United States has experienced more than 1,216,000 cases of COVID-19 to date, including more than 232,000 deaths, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

“As we see a surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide, we cannot underscore the importance of continued federal support to ensure that these facilities and services remain available to help Illinois residents as infection rates continue to rise,” Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director, said.