SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced Tuesday that local governments and community groups are now able to apply for a portion of nearly $80 million grant to update critical infrastructure and spur economic development.
“With these grants, Illinois is investing in its residents,” Castro said. “When new economic development and jobs are created in our local communities the entire state benefits.”
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will allow communities and stakeholders to apply for these funds. It will distribute the funds to local governments, not-for-profits, economic development groups and even private businesses, which will create new job and economic opportunities.
DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments (available only to local governments), $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million ready-to-go for construction projects. Potential projects also include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.
Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.
For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to
