Skip to main content

Enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program will be temporarily paused effective July 1, 2023.

Enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program will be temporarily paused effective Nov. 6, 2023.

Due to repairs causing planned power outages in the area, the Joliet Regional Office located in the Bays Professional Center Building, will be closed to the public on Monday, May 6th.  The building is expected to reopen on Tuesday, May 7th.

Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

ARPA Payments Webpage

This webpage is designed to encompass all information related to the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding as appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly and enacted by the Governor. 

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law by the President. Section 9901 of ARPA amended Title VI of the Social Security Act to establish two Fiscal Recovery Funds with the intended purpose of providing support to State, local, and Tribal governments in responding to the impact of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain COVID-19 on their communities, residents, and businesses. The Fiscal Recovery Funds build on and expand the support provided to these governments over the last year, including through the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Through the Fiscal Recovery Funds, the State is receiving resources to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts through four categories of eligible uses. Although Illinois legislation may target uses more specifically, generally the federal government is allowing the funds be used:

(a) To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;

(b) To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;

(c) For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency; and

(d) To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

The CARES portal has been updated to allow providers to access documents necessary to receive ARPA payments. This portal will mitigate risk and provide accountability for entities receiving ARPA payments by ensuring compliance with federal mandates.  It will also expedite communications and data gathering, as well as contract execution. 

The portal can be found at https://caresapp.hfs.illinois.gov/.

 HFS will make final funding and policy decisions based on federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance. HFS will consider the amount of COVID-related funding providers are receiving directly from the federal government.

All provider notices and other supporting documents related to the HFS ARPA payments will be posted to this webpage. These items will also be posted to the COVID-19 updates and provider notice webpages.

Questions related to the ARPA payments can be directed via email to HFS.CARES@illinois.gov 

Supporting Documents

Provider Notices