Peoria Standard

Rep. Norrine Hammond (R-Macomb) is pushing a measure that would see the Illinois Congressional delegation sign off on additional economic relief to fund the Payment Protection Program and the Business Interruption Grant Program, along with passing broad-based federal solutions that address pandemic risk for businesses across the state.

“I brought forth this as a result of the work conducted by the Business Interruption Insurance task force that was created under the 101st General Assembly," Hammond said on the House Floor of her support for House Joint Resolution 14. "The task force was charged with studying the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and the need for changes to Business Interruption insurance policies.” 

Filed by Hammond and supported by fellow Reps. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City), Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis), Dave Vella (D-Rockford) and Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), HJR 14 now sits in the Assignments Committee. It is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Napoleon Harris III (D-Dolton), where it has the support of more than 20 other lawmakers.

"Based on those impacts and recommendations for legislation that this resolution seeks to urge Congress to pass for business and address the issues related to Business Interruption Insurance, I am very pleased to be joined by Rep. Jones on this work and on this task force for Illinois businesses," Hammond said. 

The bill seeks to create the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act. In addition, the draft amends the Code of Civil Procedure, making changes concerning the sealing of court files. In addition, the measure contains provisions for the sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action; emergency sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action during the COVID-19 emergency and economic recovery period; and a temporary COVID-19 stay of certain foreclosure proceedings and filings.

Finally, the measure is slated to go into effect immediately and makes corresponding changes in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.