West Central Reporter

On March 23, Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) issued a statement condemning the approval of Senate Bill 2803, an appropriations bill that uses federal COVID funds to pay off some of the state's unemployment insurance trust fund debt, while applying funds to pension funds and community programs.

"$1 billion in federal COVID funds that the General Assembly Appropriated for Democrat pork projects… Congrats to the Elite Striders Drill Team on their $300,000 and Ex-cons for Community & Social Change on their $500,000!!! (Sarcasm) Federal COVID funds well spent, Democrats!!!," Davidsmeyer posted on Facebook.

"Instead of making employers and employees whole, following forced COVID-closures, the Democrats are putting another burden on the same people who were most affected by the government shutdowns," Davidsmeyer said in a press release posted to his website. "Democrats are rushing to pass an appropriations bill in an attempt to spend the federal ARPA dollars as a re-election slush fund, rather than directing these COVID dollars towards the things that were directly affected by COVID."

Senate Bill 2803 allocates $2.7 billion from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to the Department of Employment Security for payment to the Illinois unemployment insurance trust fund for partial repayment of Title XII advances, including prior year costs. It also moves $2.5 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to deposit into the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund.

Democrats called this vote a win, noting on their website that it tackles outstanding bills in many areas while also addressing the unemployment insurance deficit. The measure was sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).