Underwood Announces $22.6 Million for Priorities Selected for Community Project Funding
WEST CHICAGO – Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the projects in the 14th District selected for Community Projects Funding (CPF). Community Project Funding is an initiative that allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent.
Once funded, projects will benefit the community to increase safety, support economic growth for local businesses, expand access to youth mental health services, meet growing health care needs, create a network of childcare facilities across the district, improve Metra access, protect regional water supply, strengthen emergency response, bolster domestic manufacturing, and restore local wetlands.
"From day one, I have fought to bring the voices of the 14th District to Congress and worked hard to make sure the community's priorities are reflected in federal funding bills," said Underwood. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these projects funded and seeing the direct impact they will have in northern Illinois."
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for projects in their community for fiscal year 2023 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Underwood has certified that she and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects selected. Underwood's certification forms for the projects listed are available HERE, listed in alphabetical order.
Below are descriptions of the projects:
Project Title: Aunt Martha's Integrated Practice Unit for Adolescent Health – Woodstock
Project Sponsor: Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness
Amount Requested: $450,000
Address of Sponsor: 19990 Governors Highway, Olympia Fields, IL 60461
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to renovate Aunt Martha's clinic at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital and expand access to high-quality mental and behavioral health care. This expansion would enable the facility to serve more than 3,700 youth ages 10-21 in McHenry County and the surrounding area. Currently, adolescents and teenagers in northern Illinois and across the country are experiencing elevated rates of mental health challenges. According to survey data shared by the McHenry County Mental Health Board, more than four in ten high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless during the pandemic. Through the renovated Integrated Practice Unit (IPU) for Adolescent Health, Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness will be able to create six new exam rooms, two new behavioral health offices, a care coordination office, as well as new space dedicated to addressing social determinants of health.
This project has broad support from the local community, including Northwestern Medicine and the McHenry County Mental Health Board.
Project Title: Transparency Equipment Improvement
Project Sponsor: Sandwich Police Department
Amount Requested: $120,459
Address of Sponsor: 308 East College Street, Sandwich, IL 60548
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to purchase in-car cameras for each of the Department's seven squad cars to help improve transparency, accountability, and safety within the department and for the Sandwich community. This funding would also be used to purchase the storage system that will hold data from all police department cameras, including body cameras.
The squad car cameras and storage system will be installed as the first planned phase of implementation. The Department plans to subsequently implement the use of required body-worn cameras; the storage systems for squad and body-worn camera footage will be interoperable.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Sandwich Superintendent of Schools, the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce, and the Sandwich Police Chief.
Project Title: Fabrication and Training Facility for Semiconductor Chips, Advanced Electronics, and Sensor Systems
Project Sponsor: Northern Illinois University (NIU)
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Address of Sponsor: 1425 W Lincoln Highway, DeKalb IL, 60115
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to create a 4,200-square-foot microchip innovation and workforce development hub on NIU's campus. This groundbreaking facility would be used for education, research and development, and small business incubation to drive innovation across northern Illinois.
Currently, the U.S. is facing a crippling semiconductor shortage due to the global pandemic and decades of offshoring. Semiconductors enable our everyday electronics to work — like computers, cars, phones, appliances, and medical equipment. This project would help address these challenges by investing in research and development for microchip design and fabrication.It would also introduce innovative and hands-on course curriculum on multiple topics related to microchips at the undergraduate, masters, and Ph.D levels. Furthermore, the hub would serve as an incubator and prototyping facility for high-tech startups and microchip industry-related businesses in the region, benefitting the local and state economy. Given NIU's diverse student body, this project will also provide new opportunities for advanced STEM education for underrepresented populations.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation and local businesses such as Navistar, Inc., Alcorix Co, Woodward, and Flowchips.
Project Title: Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge/Nippersink Creek Restoration Project
Project Sponsor: Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Amount Requested: $975,000
Address of Sponsor: P.O. Box 413, Richmond, IL 60071
Project Purpose and Justification: The funding would be used to restore over 100 acres of wetlands and nearly 8,750 feet of headwater streams. The parcel is located within the Tamarack Core area, designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a priority for protection by the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. This restoration is critical so that the land can eventually be protected as part of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. This project will address soil erosion, improve soil health, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, reduce flood damage, and increase resilience to climate change, as well as provide recreational opportunities for the community.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry-Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District, and McHenry County Department of Planning and Development, as well as local conservation organizations such as Openlands, Chicago Wilderness, McHenry County Conservation Foundation, Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, Nippersink Watershed Association, and Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.
Project Title: Hinckley Public Library
Project Sponsor: Hinckley Public Library District
Amount Requested: $2,250,000
Address of Sponsor: 100 Maple Street, Hinckley, IL 60520
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to renovate the new home of the Hinckley public library: a 6,000-square-foot building in the heart of downtown Hinckley at 142 W Lincoln Avenue. Currently, the Hinckley Public Library is located in a basement almost half that size with a leaky foundation and poor sound control. This location limits access for library patrons with mobility challenges and lacks dedicated spaces for patrons and staff. Staff currently have no work or meeting space; the director's office floods during every rain. The new building will serve as a stable long-term anchor in the community.
The new building has been donated to the library and needs comprehensive renovations to ensure it is accessible for visitors with mobility challenges and to address asbestos and mold. The renovated building would be fully ADA-compliant, with ramps and automatic doors, and have larger windows and a workroom for library staff.
According to the library district, without a coffee shop, park district, or recreation center downtown, the library serves as the true community center in Hinckley.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Hinckley Area Food Pantry, Hinckley Historical Society, the Village of Hinckley, Hinckley Public Library District Board member Amie Carey, State Senator Dave Syverson (R), and State Representative Jeff Keicher (R).
Project Title: Huntley Shops on Main
Project Sponsor: Village of Huntley
Amount Requested: $974,843
Address of Sponsor: 10987 Main Street, Huntley, IL 60142
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used for construction and development of the Shops on Main program, facilitated by the Village of Huntley, to provide local entrepreneurs with a starting point to pursue their dreams of operating a physical retail space. The Shops will function as the first step for a business owner who has been running a home-based or internet-based business. This will support small businesses to grow while creating jobs for the community. The preliminary designs for Shops on Main include the construction of 10 buildings on a single site that will be rented to business owners at a price well below market.
Currently, many entrepreneurs in the Huntley area lack the resources to establish a physical retail location. This project will benefit business owners by providing the tools needed to expand existing businesses in an incubator-like environment, allowing the owners to collaborate, learn, and grow together. The increased foot traffic and economic activity it brings to downtown Huntley are also expected to benefit existing businesses and the community as a whole.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce, Huntley Community School District 158, Illinois Small Business Development center at McHenry County College, Huntley Park District, and Naturally McHenry County.
Project Title: Joliet Junior College Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC)
Project Sponsor: Joliet Junior College (JJC)
Amount Requested: $353,404
Address of Sponsor: 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to relocate JJC's small business support department and enable JJC to increase staffing and services to meet the demand of entrepreneurs in the area. JJC currently has one full-time and one part-time staff member dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs. This funding would allow the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) to hire additional staff to provide one-on-one consultations with entrepreneurs, teach non-credit entrepreneurship and business management courses, and do outreach to educate the community on its services throughout the 1,442-square-mile area it serves. Relocating the EDC to the City Center Campus will place small business support services in the heart of Joliet's downtown and strengthen JJC's collaboration with Joliet City Center Partnership, an organization dedicated to encouraging economic development in Downtown Joliet.
The EDC works directly with new and existing entrepreneurs from the conceptual stage of a business to formal business planning and beyond by assisting entrepreneurs with education, training, and resource identification. The EDC provides no-cost services including workshops and classes, one-on-one business advising, and referral services to assist entrepreneurs with business plan development, small business financing acquisition, marketing strategies, and technical assistance.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Will County Center for Economic Development, Workforce Center of Will County, Workforce Investment Board of Will County, Joliet City Center Partnership, Grundy Economic Development Council, Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board, Grundy County Chamber of Commerce, and Channahon/Minooka Chamber of Commerce.
Project Title: Kendall County Extension Environmental Impact Statement
Project Sponsor: Kendall County
Amount Requested: $4,800,000
Address of Sponsor: 111 West Fox Street, Yorkville, IL 60560
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used for a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Phase 1 study to evaluate the extension of Metra commuter rail into Kendall County. Currently, Kendall County is not served by Metra commuter rail despite being the fastest-growing county in Illinois. The study is the next step to bring the extension to the county. It would include an environmental impact statement and evaluate a range of possible options for the locations and structure of a potential extension. Additionally, the study will help determine the future governance structure for the extension. The Congresswoman has long supported the expansion of Metra service in Kendall County, which is one of her top transportation priorities.
This project has broad support from the local communities, including Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville.
Project Title: Oswego, Montgomery, and Yorkville Corrosion Studies
Project Sponsor: Village of Oswego
Amount Requested: $1,800,000
Address of Sponsor: 100 Parkers Mill Pl, Oswego, IL 60543
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to fund a study to ensure high-quality drinking water and mitigate potential lead exposure ahead of Oswego, Montgomery, and Yorkville switching water sources. Currently, the existing water source is at risk to no longer meet the region's daily water demand as soon as 2030. The three areas joined together and recently designated Lake Michigan as their new water source and DuPage Water Commission as their water supplier. This study will evaluate the new system to ensure safe and clean drinking water for the communities after the transition.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Village President of Oswego, the Mayor of Yorkville, the Village President of Montgomery, and the County Board Chair of Kendall County.
Project Title: Relocation of the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Project Sponsor: City of Batavia
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 100 N. Island Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would allow the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet, a non-profit that's served the community for 40-years, to relocate to a larger space better fit to serve the growing need. Currently, the facility is located in a 3,000-square-foot building with very little room for storage, refrigeration, or display of items. Almost all of their storage is located at an off-site facility, requiring added staff to volunteer hours to transport items between locations. Only 25% of the Clothes Closet inventory can be displayed at any time. The current location also has limited cold storage, restricting the healthier fresh foods that they can offer to their clients. A new 20,000 square feet building will enable them to meet their current and future needs.
This project has broad support from the local community, including State Representative Keith Wheeler (50th District), State Senator Donald DeWitte (33rd District), State Representative Maura Hirschauer (49th District), State Senate Leader Linda Holmes (42nd District), Mayor, City of Batavia – Jeffery D. Schielke, Batavia Public School District 101 Superintendent – Dr. Lisa Hichens, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia Mainstreet; and 108 other groups.
Project Title: Replace Perimeter Fencing - Phase 1, DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DKB), DeKalb, IL
Project Sponsor: City of DeKalb
Amount Requested: $1,125,000
Address of Sponsor: 164 East Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL 60115
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to replace the security fence at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. The new fencing is the first phase of a security upgrade crucial to making the Airport financially viable and maintaining it as a regional economic development engine. The new fence will be a 10-foot high, Class E, chain-link fence topped with three strands of barbed wire. It will also have three feet of pest-deterrent embedded in the ground below. Currently, the airport perimeter is enclosed by a 4-foot-high chain-link fence in poor condition. Perimeter fencing is the primary safety feature preventing pedestrians and vehicles from accessing airport property. Coyote and deer can easily hop the existing fence and are frequently on the airfield, which has caused numerous arrival and departure delays while airport personnel chased the wildlife a safe distance away from runway and taxiway pavements. Animal feces and remains also have to be removed from the pavements multiple times per week. The project will also include replacing the existing hinged gates with updated sliding gates that will provide quicker access for emergency response crews.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and the DeKalb Airport Advisory Board Chair.
Project Title: Village of Holiday Hills/Le Villa Vaupell Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 2
Project Sponsor: Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Address of Sponsor: 113 Timber Trail, P.O. Box 240, Island Lake, IL 60042
Project Purpose and Justification: Currently, homes in Holiday Hills are connected to private septic systems. Located in the Fox River floodplain, these homes and septic systems are prone to flooding and fecal contamination, creating public health and environmental risks to residents and the surrounding areas. These risks are compounded because the Fox River is a main drinking water source for several communities downstream of Holiday Hills. This funding would be used to purchase sewer lines, manholes, and other needed infrastructure to connect 335 existing homes to a sanitary sewer. By connecting these homes to a sanitary sewer and eliminating private septic systems, this project will provide a healthier environment for the community and a safer source of drinking water for the entire region.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Mayor of the Village of Holiday Hills, and several residents who have written in support of the project.
Project Title: VNA Health Care – New Construction of Community Health Center in Joliet, IL
Project Sponsor: VNA Health Care
Amount Requested: $500,000
Address of Sponsor: 400 N. Highland Avenue, Aurora, IL 60506
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to build a new VNA Health Center in Joliet to meet the growing health care needs in this community. This new health center will be used by VNA doctors and nurses for the delivery of family practice care, obstetrics, pediatric services, and mental and behavioral health care. VNA Health Care serves a racially and ethnically diverse population of more than 74,000 people per year. The health center will be in a highly accessible location and will improve access to care for families who are uninsured or underinsured. Thanks to the funding from this project, VNA Health Care will be able to construct a facility with 24 medical exam rooms, a wellness kitchen, waiting areas, a laboratory, nursing stations, and mental and behavioral health counseling rooms to deliver integrated health care services.
Currently, the Joliet area has shortages of primary care providers as well as mental and behavioral health providers: Will County has a ratio of population to mental and behavioral health provider ratio of 1,010:1 vs. 480:1 for the state of Illinois. By bringing additional doctors and nurses to the community to deliver primary care, obstetrics and pediatric services, mental and behavioral health care, and more, VNA Health Care will fill unmet needs in Joliet and beyond.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project; Spanish Community Center; State Representative Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.; State Senator John R. Connor; and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.
Project Title: YMCA Safe 'N Sound Program Expansion
Project Sponsor: YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Amount Requested: $666,366
Address of Sponsor: 1030 W. Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to support the expansion and enhancement of YMCA Safe 'N Sound (SNS) programming at three schools in Aurora West School District 129 and nine schools in Indian Prairie School District 204. SNS supports children in kindergarten through fifth grade with their academic and personal development, and is designed with an emphasis on experiential learning, social and emotional development, and the promotion of healthy living. The programs are provided before and after school, during full-day holidays and in-service days, as well as through engaging summer camp programs. SNS would use this funding to award scholarships to high-need students; increase staffing necessary to expand programing; provide family engagement events; expand SNS's Yoga/Mindfulness/Healthy Living Program by bringing in certified instructors; enhance programming with community partners; and contract for the services of a part-time Social Worker/Behavior Support Manager to ensure better social and emotional well-being for children and families.
Currently, SNS serves nearly 1,000 children, along with their families, across 27 elementary schools in the Naperville, Indian Prairie, and West Aurora School Districts. However, current funding levels are not sufficient to allow SNS to meet the full needs of the community, particularly the most vulnerable and underserved children and families. The funding would help SNS expand their level of service to serve 50% more students in District 129 and 55% more in District 204. YMCA's SNS program has provided Naperville and Aurora school districts with youth-centered enrichment programming for more than thirty years.
This project has broad support from the local community, including from West Aurora School District 129, DuPage Children's Museum, Fox Valley United Way, the Driskill Foundation, and families who have directly benefitted from YMCA's SNS program.
Project Title: YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Childcare Network
Project Sponsor: YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Amount Requested: $575,000
Address of Sponsor: 1 N. LaSalle, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60602
Project Purpose and Justification: This funding would be used to create and administer a childcare network for Illinois' 14th District, consisting of childcare centers and family childcare providers. The intent of this network is to strengthen small childcare businesses, expand childcare system capacity, and improve the quality of care for children in the community. With this funding, YWCA will provide education and resources to network participants to support sustainable business practices and high-quality care in the field of early care and education. Supports and services for participating small childcare businesses include one-on-one advising to develop sustainable business plans, improve care quality, identify and apply for funding opportunities, and improve marketing and enrollment; and wage supplements for educators, so businesses can attract and retain early childhood educators.
Currently, the lack of availability of high quality, affordable childcare is major concern in northern Illinois and across the country. The high cost of quality care and workforce challenges, both exacerbated by the pandemic, make maintaining a sustainable childcare business a considerable challenge.
This project has broad support from the local community, including the Wheaton Warrenville Early Childhood Collaborative, Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA), Kane County Health Department; One Hope United, and local childcare businesses, such as Blocks Learning Academy in Batavia, Little Prince Child Care Center in West Chicago, and the Goddard School in St. Charles.
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