The village of Forest Park will be receiving approximately $1.69M through the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP), according to Mayor Rory Hoskins.

The COVID relief bill, signed by President Joe Biden earlier this month, is a $1.9 trillion plan will provide COVID-19 related relief to municipalities and, separately, to school districts, transportation providers, and COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts as well as direct checks to Americans and small businesses.

In municipalities such as Forest Park, COVID relief funds can be spent on eligible costs and include, generally:

  • Assistance to households, small businesses, nonprofits or industries impacted economically by COVID-19,
  • Support to essential workers,
  • Covering municipal revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and
  • Making necessary infrastructure improvements, including water and sewer.

The criteria for using funds are fairly vague, though further instruction from the Department of the Treasury is possible.

In Forest Park, said Village Administrator Tim Gillian, “Once we are sure of the funding we will begin to work through the details.”