08.03.21

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $5.7 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding To Increase Vaccine Access

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announce a total of $5.7 million in American Rescue Plan funding awarded to six Chicagoland health care providers to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved communities. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will go to community-based organizations that are working to build vaccine confidence, share factual information about vaccines, and answer people's questions about getting vaccinated.

“With rising COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, our nation is at a critical moment in our fight against this virus.  The vaccine is by far the best tool we have to control the spread of COVID and protect our loved ones,” Durbin said. “We need all eligible individuals to get vaccinated, quickly.  This funding—from the American Rescue Plan—will help further accelerate the vaccination effort and provide critical federal support to trusted neighborhood health care providers, like those awarded today.”

“While we’ve made progress in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re not on the other side of it yet,” Duckworth said. “The best way we’ll get there is by making sure everyone who can get vaccinated, does get vaccinated, which is why I’m glad that this federal funding from the American Rescue Plan will give Chicagoland providers a boost in their vaccine efforts. I’ll keep working alongside the Biden administration and Senator Durbin to help support these vaccination efforts and protect Illinoisans from this virus.”

The following organizations have been awarded funding:

  • Alianza Americas (Oak Park): $1,000,000
  • ASI, Inc. (Chicago): $1,000,000
  • Heartland Alliance Health (Chicago): $835,000
  • Latinio Alzheimer’s And Memory Disorders Alliance (Cicero): $902,724
  • Saint Anthony Hospital (Chicago): $1,000,000
  • Sinai Health System (Chicago): $999,675

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