By D. Guzik
St. Charles
Kane County received approximately $93 Million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund in April. Most of the money has been allocated, although, as The Daily Herald reported October 10, approximately $7 Million is still in limbo.
Although our residents struggle with seven months of pandemic-related hardships, an unemployment rate of 9.6%, growing food insecurity, and a child care crisis, many are asking, “where is the relief” that local families so desperately need?
The lion’s share $51 Million (55%) of our coronavirus relief funding appears to be in the coffers of the fully budgeted departments of Kane County. These departments have incurred additional expenses due to the virus so some degree of relief is needed. But 55%? Compare it to what our larger, neighboring, counties allocated; Lake County, $45 Million (37%), or Will County, $33 Million (28%).
Did the Kane County CARES Act Allocation Committee sit down and decide to protect their own government units first? Sure, these vital departments serve residents. But was prioritizing their turf over things that directly ease suffering, such as rental assistance and food pantry aid, the best decision during a pandemic?
For example, Lake County allocated $15 Million (12%) and Will County $12 Million (10%) for direct support to residents.
Imagine the amount of food, housing, utility payments and employment relief that could be helping sustain Kane County families. Thankfully, our non-profits can fill a tiny portion of the void with the $2 Million or the 2% they are being granted.
If there ever was a time to be driven by humanitarian issues and think outside the box, it’s now. The allocation committee appears to have gone down the standard list of government entities instead of looking for better ways to help people whose lives have been upended.
David Rickert, candidate for Kane County Board chair, said in The Daily Herald, September 29, that we must “address the health concerns of our citizens” by making sure “the Health Department, Sheriff and Emergency Management … receive necessary supplies in our effort to battle COVID-19.” Does Mr. Rickert only see people only through the lens of government-supplied services?
I am of the opinion that Corinne Pierog’s creative and compassion-driven approach would have produced better outcomes for residents, and will in the future when she is elected Kane County Board chair.