SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WSIL) -- Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has launched a $50 million loan program to assist federal workers affected by the government shutdown.

The program aims to provide zero-interest and low-interest loans through participating banks and credit unions across Illinois.

"It is truly disheartening that a D.C. dispute over the right to affordable health care has reached a point where the federal government has locked out some workers and forced others to continue working without pay," Frerichs said.

An estimated 153,000 federal employees reside in Illinois, though it is uncertain how many are currently unpaid. The shutdown began on October 1.

"Our no-interest loan program aims to provide much-needed relief to workers, ensuring they can feed their families, p

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