As the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to increase dramatically in Illinois, across the country, and around the globe, we need local government officials to step up to this moment. Even though the coronavirus crisis has been weeks in the making and a global pandemic has been declared, thus far, elected officials in Bloomington, Normal and McLean County have largely been silent. All we have heard are platitudes, but we haven’t seen a coordinated, local, intergovernmental plan to protect vulnerable populations like seniors, individuals with chronic health conditions, hourly wage earners, and homeless and housing insecure people.

We want an intergovernmental coordinated plan for how we will protect residents, that involves everyday people, to ensure that nobody falls through the cracks.

1. We want each of our local units of government to designate a substantial amount of money to be used collectively to address the community’s health and economic needs during the COVID crisis.
   1. Rent and Mortgage Assistance
   2. Childcare subsidies
   3. Utility Payments
   4. Emergency Assistance for Small Businesses
2. We want each of our local units of government to leverage their power to advance policies, practices and decisions that protect residents, with our most vulnerable at the center.
   1. Support Paid Sick Leave
   2. Expand Township Assistance
   3. Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures
   4. Prevent Utility Shut Offs
   5. Secure Housing for All Residents
   6. Regulate Grocery Stores
   7. Decarcerate and Support Inmates
3. We want each of the local units of government to direct their resources (like staff, facilities, etc) towards meeting the emerging needs of the community.
   1. Give hourly able-bodied, non-high risk local government employees the option to be repurposed to
      1. Organize food distribution efforts (assist with food banks, meal pick-ups and deliveries).
      2. Provide non-medical support labor to medical facilities and testing operations
   2. Offer temporary employment to out-of-work, able bodied residents to assist with these efforts.
   3. Use publicly owned facilities as points for food distribution and testing operations

View our full list of demands here.

Tell your local officials to step up and Protect Our People!