The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed through Congress along party lines and signed into law by President Joe Biden last week is welcome assistance for many in Peoria-area local government. In addition to $1,400 stimulus payments for many Americans and boosted unemployment benefits, the bill includes $7.5 billion for The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to combat the coronavirus.
The bill also includes $140 million in relief funding for Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. For the City of Peoria, the one-time relief funds are welcome to blunt the blow of a painful budget readjustment cycle sparked by reduced revenues as the COVID-19 pandemic set in last spring.
Tim Shelley
/ WCBU
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos says she's confident President Joe Biden will fulfill his promise of unifying the country in the days and weeks ahead.
Bustos, a Moline Democrat, said she believes the Biden's inauguration marks a new, more hopeful day for America.
"President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, have now joined the ranks of those who have served at its highest levels. It's a celebratory moment. It's one that will be marked in our history books. And it's one that we gotta acknowledge that today's celebration follows one in American history that future generations will look back on in dismay," said Bustos, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, its resulting economic fallout, and two impeachment trials in the House.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood on Friday said President Donald Trump does bear responsibility for Wednesday's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, while Rep. Cheri