PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – People in Illinois who still owe money on private and non-federal student loans can now receive temporary relief as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. During this time, families with school-aged children who receive food assistance will be entitled to additional benefits.
Governor JB Pritzker announced the new relief efforts on Tuesday as the state reported 1,551 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 119 new virus-related deaths in the past 24 hours. This brings the total for the statewide pandemic to 33,059 confirmed cases and 1,468 deaths.
Pritzker said the recently passed federal CARES law provided relief for those struggling with federal student debt due to the pandemic, including the automatic suspension of monthly payments and interest and the halt of involuntary collection activities until to September 30.
But he said it’s left out millions of people across the country, including an estimated 140,000 Illinois, who owe money on private, not federal, student loans.
Pritzker said these former students will now receive similar relief thanks to agreements reached by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with 20 student loan managers. The agreement allows borrowers to request a 90-day forbearance without a negative credit report during this period.
The deal is part of a multi-state effort that involves financial regulators and student loan departments in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Pritzker also announced that the state has received federal approval to provide expanded benefits to approximately 300,000 Illinois families with school-aged children who receive assistance through the Nutrition Assistance Program. Supplement, or SNAP, providing approximately $ 112 million in additional food assistance to these families.
He said his administration is also working to expand eligibility for this program to families who are entitled to free or discounted meals at school but are not currently receiving SNAP.
“No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” Pritzker said.
Photos: Thank you to all the essential workers fighting the coronavirus
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Michael Wilson, co-owner of Wilson Cycle at 426 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington, performed repair work on a customer’s bicycle on April 1, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. The bicycle shop is an essential industry under state law. “People need their bikes to get to work and collect food,” Wilson said. “I believe we are classified over there with the auto repair shops.”
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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It would be hard to argue that home-delivered pizza is not an essential commodity in a coronavirus pandemic. Driver Bryce Moore, left, and Sheila Vaughn run pizza at Monical’s Pizza, 1219 S. Main St. in Normal, April 1, 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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They are exposed and underestimated, but the Salvation Army’s Safe Harbor Shelter worker assistant manager Austin Howald, kitchen supervisor Anne Clementz and social worker Rob Holland guard some of the homeless in the area. region safe and off the streets during the coronavirus pandemic on April 1. 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Healthy eating is important if you want to stay well, and Amelia Smith, Principal, and Julia Fitch, Clerk, are keeping the doors open to fight the coronavirus at The Common Ground, 516 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington, on April 1, 2020. Yes, they are social distanced.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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You can’t have a rural town or even a big city if you don’t have a fire department or police. Matt Musson, Jason Greer, Eric Purchis and AJ Larson of the Bloomington Fire Department will replace all uniformed public safety personnel who need our thanks during the coronavirus era.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Try to live without coffee. It’s a vital business as baker Connor Fitzgerald, baristas Kara Dietsch and Ryan Rutherford, and general manager Haven Ryburn keep the caffeine percolated as the region fights the coronavirus at the Coffee Hound at 407 N. Main St. They’re doing part of intrepid souls. who stay open to keep the rest of us in a good mood.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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You can spend a lot of time in quarantine if you have the right foods, like cookies and cupcakes. Baker Ginger Bowers, Owner Susan Goeckner and Clerk Caitlin Rozek will help keep you sane with a variety of goodies while you wait for the coronavirus to pass after stopping at Ivy Lane Bakery, 405 N. Main St. at Bloomington town center.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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