1 • Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 - Shopper’s Guide
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Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 83 • NO. 8
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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 2021
FEMA funding boosts vaccination efforts Officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Illinois Emergency Management Agency announced recently that more than $22.8 million in federal funding has been made available to IEMA for COVID-19 vaccination costs. This funding is an advance payment to IEMA for eligible reimbursable costs associated with the rapid distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. The grant will help fund mobile vaccination assistance teams and facilities, including costs for medical and non-medical staff to support these efforts. “Expediting funds to support our states’ vaccination efforts is a priority for FEMA and the federal government,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator of FEMA Region 5. “This grant will be used to expand access to the COVID-19
vaccination to more communities across the state of Illinois, helping ensure every Illinoisan who wants a vaccine, can get one.” “These additional resources will allow our state to supplement the efforts of local health departments to accelerate vaccination efforts with a keen focus on equitability and accessibility,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “We appreciate the cooperation and collaboration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and we look forward to assisting our partners at the Illinois Department of Public Health to distribute a safe and effective vaccine.” FEMA provides funding at a 100 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project. To learn more, go online to www. fema.gov/public-assistance-localstate-tribal-and-non-profit.
Committee questions IDES director, staff over unemployment handling CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Representatives of the Illinois Department of Employment Security on Feb. 10 testified before the Senate Labor Committee about fraudulent claims, continued delays in responding to unemployment applicants and a multibillion-dollar deficit in the fund that pays out benefits. Acting Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards and members of the department’s staff fielded questions about the backlog that individuals face when they contact the agency with questions about their claims. While the agency has seen fewer traditional unemployment claims, it has continued to see individuals file roughly 700,000 to 800,000 claims per month since August through the pandemic unemployment programs created through the federal
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and other federal programs. Those include the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the Pandemic Emer- Kristin Richards gency Unemployment Compensation program and the Extended Benefits program IDES has put in place a callback system to reduce wait times for callers and a web form online for people to submit questions, but Richards said individuals still wait between one to two weeks for a callback from the agency, depending on the subject of the call.
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By Sarah Mansur
Le-Win beats Stockton
DAVE BUSCH PHOTOS Shopper’s Guide
Top: Stockton High School senior Mitchel Coffey looks to make a pass during the Feb. 6 game against Le-Win High School. Above: Le-Win senior Evan England (No. 1) looks to make a move during the game against Stockton. Le-Win topped Stockton 47-36.
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