American Rescue Plan Act in Oak Park

The Village of Oak Park expects to receive approximately $38.9 million in federal dollars to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the community.

The funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are intended to help offset revenue losses resulting from the pandemic, as well as fund other community needs.

Locally distributed funds must be allocated before December 31, 2024. Click on the titles below to read the details of each category.

What is ARPA Funding?

The federal American Rescue Plan Act – or ARPA – was signed into law on March 11, 2021 The $1.9 trillion package included $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local, territorial and Tribal governments.

The local share of the federal program, designated as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, are intended to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control. replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs, support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses, and address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequitable impact of the pandemic on certain populations.

The U.S. Treasury Department oversees the Recovery Funds and provides guidelines on their proper use. More information on the federal legislation is available from the following Treasury Department sources:

Eligible Uses

In general, funds may be used in these broad categories:

	Support Public Health Response Support public health expenditures by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare and certain public health and safety staff
	Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss Replace lost public sector revenue to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic
	Invest in Water, Sewer & Broadband Infrastructure Invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expand access to broadband internet
	Address Negative Economic Impacts Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, industries such as tourism, and the public sector
	Provide Premium Pay for Essential Workers Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors

Within these general categories, the Village will have broad flexibility to decide how best to use the Recovery Funds to meet the needs of our community. More specific guidelines currently are being drafted by the Treasury Department. In the meantime, the following federal sources are available:

Opportunities for Public Input

Community input is essential to assessing Village needs and exploring how funding can best be aligned with local priorities. To ensure the equitable, transparent and accountable distribution of these funds, residents are invited to…

Take a survey thru Oct. 30, 2021
Attend virtual listening sessions:
- 9 - 10 a.m., Tues., Oct 5, 2021 click here to watch the video
- 7 - 9 p.m., Wed., Oct. 6, 2021 click here to watch the video
- 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Wed., Oct. 27, 2021 (local business community) click here to watch the video
email ARPAcomments@oak-park.us

The Village Board then will evaluate all available information, including community input, and determine priorities for allocating ARPA funds within the Board Goals adopted on June 14, 2021. A first review of the public input is planned for November 2021. Board meeting information and an agenda will be posted on the Village website calendar when the meeting is scheduled.

Allocation of ARPA Funds in Oak Park

This page will be updated as specific decisions about funding allocations are made.

Following public meetings in May 2021and July 2021, the Village Board authorized using a portion of the ARPA funds for the following purposes: