American Rescue Plan may deliver $1.06 million to Cook County

This week U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the American Rescue Plan (ARP) recently signed into law will send an estimated $1.06 million in COVID-19 relief to Cook County to help make up for budget shortfalls suffered during the year-long pandemic.

Senator Smith said the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Minnesota’s state and local governments, with many having to drastically cut services, reduce public safety efforts, and delay needed infrastructure projects, including broadband, water and sewer upgrades.

“For more than a year, Minnesota and the entire nation have been devastated by the economic and health fallout from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senator Smith.

The ARP will deliver an estimated total of $4.9 billion to Minnesota governments, including approximately $2.6 billion to the state, and more than $2 billion to counties, cities and other local governments. In addition, the ARP includes a provision to make state and local governments eligible for a tax credit to provide paid leave to police, firefighters, health care workers, and other government employees who have been fighting on the front lines of the pandemic.