Rep. Underwood announces $45 million in emergency coronavirus funding for local colleges and universities

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) announced Monday that colleges and universities in Illinois’ 14th District will receive over  $45 million in emergency funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to a news release.

The CARES Act, which Underwood supported in Congress, was signed by President Trump on March 27. It provides $14 billion in emergency higher education relief to help students and institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least half of the funds received by each institution will be distributed to students in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to help pay for housing, food and other essentials., the release stated

“Higher education is one of the most valuable resources we have, but during this unprecedented time, institutions and students are struggling as they feel the impacts of the coronavirus,” Underwood stated in the release. “The CARES Act delivers urgently needed funding to help Illinois students cover the cost of food, housing, and other basic essentials, and give institutions in our community a lifeline to ensure they can come back from this crisis stronger than ever.”

Local colleges and universities receiving funding under the CARES Act include:

College of DuPage: $9,100,886

Elgin Community College: $4,600,718

Joliet Junior College: $5,497,625

Kishwaukee College: $1,545,526

McHenry County College: $2,254,053

Northern Illinois University: $14,825,179

Waubonsee Community College: $3,198,731.