Reitz Calls for Increased Funding for Community Health Departments Combating COVID-19

RED BUD, Ill. – To help protect frontline workers and local communities battle the COVID-19 outbreak, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is urging increased funding for downstate health departments.

“Health departments in our communities and employees are doing frontline work to combat the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and providing care for those who are facing this virus,” Reitz said. “As we look at the phases of reopening our economy, it will be critical that local health departments are able to combat this virus currently and during the recovery period. While we face many difficult decisions in crafting a state budget, providing the proper funding for these departments will help downstate communities continue this fight and be the first steps to fully reopening our economy.”

Reitz is calling for increased funding for Local Health Protection Grants that help downstate health departments provide the necessary protections against infectious diseases like COVID-19, such as money for masks and sanitation products to keep treatment areas infection-free. These grants also help local health departments in the essential services they perform to protect the public’s health in their respective area, including food protection, safety for water supplies, and private sewage disposal.

“Local health departments have been existing on scarce resources even prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Many are now facing extraordinary added costs, including added personnel, supplies, and personal protective equipment for employees as they work to protect the public’s health,” said Tom Hughes, executive director of the Illinois Public Health Association. “Without increasing the funds needed to properly serve their communities, health departments will have serious trouble maintaining the fight against this pandemic. It is imperative that our state support and protect workers on the frontlines of this crisis.”

To find the most recent information about resources and information regarding COVID-19 in Illinois, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov or call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931.

Reitz is available to answer questions at 618-282-7286 or repnreitz@gmail.com.