Grant opportunities for local governments

 

Dear local elected leaders,

I wanted to make sure you’re aware of two new grant opportunities – one with the Department of Transportation and the other with the Housing Development Authority.

The Department of Transportation is administering grants that can be used for pedestrian and bike trails, beautification, historic preservation of transportation facilities, and more. Provided through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, local governments and regional planning agencies can apply for grants of up to $2 million, with a deadline of Nov. 2.

This year – the 14^th cycle of the program – a total of $105.6 million is available, with special set-asides for disadvantaged and economically distressed communities, as well as bike and pedestrian facilities.

The full list of eligible projects includes:

• Pedestrian and/or bicycle facilities, including walking paths, trails, and rail-to-trail programs
• Streetscapes
• Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities
• Vegetation management in transportation rights-of-way
• Archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project
• Storm water management, control and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff
• Projects to reduce wildlife deaths or to improve or restore connected habitats
• Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas

The application process is competitive, and all projects will require a local match, though local agencies may be eligible for state funds to help with this part of the process. Local governments and regional planning agencies can also partner with nonprofits and private entities, though to be eligible, all projects must have a public sponsor.

To learn more or apply, visit the Illinois Department of Transportation’s ITEP page, available here.

The second grant opportunity is with the Illinois Housing Development Authority is administering a $10 million grant program to help communities address abandoned residential property by rehabilitating it and returning it to taxable use or demolishing it.

Municipalities, counties, and land banks are eligible for grants of up to $250,000 to rehabilitate repairable abandoned residential properties and to demolish properties that are beyond repair. IHDA recommends local government leaders also consider the Abandoned Property Program before applying for a grant. Applications are due Sept. 28.

To learn more or apply, visit IHDA’s Revitalization and Repair Programs page, available here.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th Illinois Senate District