Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (D-6th) announced on Wednesday, May 20, the establishment of a recovery fund to assist families in need in the Southland.
“Data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the South Suburbs hard, exacerbating economic and healthcare disparities that already existed, especially in the Southland communities. Last month, I called for the creation of a locally targeted cash transfer program as an important solution for many of our neighbors in need,” Miller said. “Today, I’m happy to announce that through a partnership with The Chicago Community Trust, as well as the Family Independence Initiative (FII), we’ve been able to create The Southland Family Support Fund.”
The fund will begin with $500,000 to be distributed in increments of $500 to at least 1,000 families in the South Suburbs. FII has national experience in establishing these types of programs, including in the City of Chicago, and will be tapped to distribute the funding where it is needed most, according to Miller.
“I’m grateful for the leadership of The Chicago Community Trust and FII who recognized the need of our South Suburban families struggling during this health and economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and right away helped bring private sector resources into the fold,” she said.
Research has shown that cash transfers are cost-effective, have the strongest track record in reducing economic vulnerability and are proven to protect people’s standards of living during crises, Miller said. Cash transfers can have a significant long-term impact on people’s livelihoods and communities after the immediate crisis ends.
“As we begin to think about re-opening the economy, money injected into households can stimulate demand for goods and services in local economies, leading to quicker recovery,” Miller said.