Underwood Announces $108 Million in Emergency Coronavirus Education Funding for Illinois

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that Illinois will receive $108 million in emergency education funding for the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. The funding has been made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Underwood strongly supported in Congress and was signed by the President on March 27. The CARES Act allocates nearly $3 billion for the GEER Fund, which governors can use at their discretion to immediately to support K-12 and higher education needs related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. GEER Fund resources may be used to meet a wide range of educational needs, including helping K-12 schools provide online learning, helping colleges and universities fill funding shortfalls, and providing direct assistance to childcare providers.

"Schools across Illinois are facing enormous costs during the coronavirus pandemic, and educators need every resource available as they continue to educate our students during this challenging time," said Underwood. "The GEER funding made available by the CARES Act will help ensure that Illinois students can continue to learn, and that teachers and educators receive additional resources and support— they are true heroes during this trying time."

The GEER Fund is part of the new Education Stabilization Fund created by CARES Act, which also includes the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund—totaling $30.75 billion in emergency education resources.

###