School District, Township Will Help Families Pay Past-Due Rent

NILES, IL — Niles Township and High School District 219 are partnering to add over $350,000 to the town's COVID-19 relief fund to help families whose children attend the district with paying overdue rent.

Through an intergovernmental agreement between the two, District 219 will also add funding to the Niles Township Food Pantry and individually help pay for child care services for other district families.

Niles Township created the COVID-19 fund last year, and it has since helped about 250 people, town officials said. By inviting District 219 to aid their families directly, more eligible people can be provided help through the fund.

"Many of our families are struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic, and this agreement allows us to allocate some of our resources to those families who need help with basic living expenses and even just securing food," said District 219 board president Neama Abraham. "We are fortunate to be able to assist people most in need in our community."

The largest focus of the initiative will be helping families pay rent that has been long overdue since the start of the pandemic. That way, Abraham says, they can have a fresh start.

"This intergovernmental agreement is a perfect illustration of just how special this community is and always has been," Niles Township Supervisor Bonnie Kahn Ognisanti said. "It shows how we work together to help our neighbors — especially when times are toughest. People literally will be able to stay in their homes now because of the creation of this agreement and the generosity of District 219."

While funding goes directly to families in need, other families in Niles Township will benefit as well through investments in community programs and the increased scope of the COVID-19 fund.

Niles Township residents facing challenges paying for housing because of the pandemic should reach out to Niles Township as soon as possible at 847-673-9300. More information is also available at www.nilestownshipgov.com.