FEMA Provides $49.6 Million to Cook County for Vaccine Distribution Support

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced today that $49,629,801 in federal funding has been made available to the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security for costs related to the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal disaster declaration of March 25, 2020.

This funding is an advance payment to Cook County for eligible reimbursable costs associated with establishing and operating seven vaccination centers across the County to rapidly distribute and administer available COVID-19 vaccines.  

“FEMA is committed to supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts across the country,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “This expedited grant funding will increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for Cook County residents, helping to ensure every person in the County who wants a vaccine can get one.”

“The Pritzker administration is committed to ensuring every Illinoisan who wants a vaccine can get a vaccine. These expedited grants from FEMA provide local governments with the means to expand vaccination efforts to ensure equity and availability throughout our state. I encourage all local jurisdictions to contact their local emergency management agency to learn more about the availability of these federal dollars,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau.

FEMA provides funding at a 100 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for emergency actions taken to protect lives or property.  To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. For more information about FEMA’s COVID-19 vaccine support efforts, visit www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/vaccine-support.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.