Gov. Pritzker signed off Tuesday on a supplement to the current fiscal year budget that allocates millions of dollars to healthcare providers and agency leaders.

The plan increases the annual salary of state agency leaders, including those at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health. [Health News Illinois] 

Other allocations include nearly $43.5 million to 15 specific hospitals. The supplement will provide $16.5 million from the state’s coronavirus emergency fund for HFS to safety-net hospitals and $30 million in Medicaid funding to community mental health providers, including those providing crisis care.

An amendment to the spending plan will provide $12.5 million in new supplemental funding to address workforce shortages for community-based providers serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses.

Advocates like the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities had sought $56 million. 

The proposal also includes $20 million for the city of Chicago to support asylum seekers, intended to address “basic health and first aid” and address social determinants of health like housing, transportation and food.

And it allocates millions from the state’s COVID-19 remediation emergency fund to various organizations, including those promoting and advertising Illinois tourism.

 Wednesday’s signing comes after Pritzker approved a budget implementation plan earlier this month that includes $460 million in “hospital pandemic recovery stabilization payments.” Funds will be allocated to hospitals based on their class and what they received last year, with added considerations for safety-net hospitals.

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