Land & Building Acquisition Grants Management Program

The Land & Building Acquisition Grants Management Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), is designed to provide funding for specific miscellaneous purposes that contribute to economic development, environmental sustainability, and an improved quality of life within the state. The program is structured to support entities that receive funding via lump sum appropriations, ensuring that the grants are allocated effectively for state-approved projects. The primary objective of this grant program is to bolster Illinois' economy, promote a clean environment, and enhance the overall quality of life throughout the state. Eligible expenses under this program are bondable costs related to acquiring land or buildings. These include the acquisition of improved or unimproved real property, covering expenses such as appraisal fees, title opinions, surveying fees, real estate fees, title transfer taxes, condemnation costs, and associated legal expenses. Additionally, funding may be used for construction and renovation work on the acquired properties. This grant opportunity is available to nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government entities. However, there are no specified beneficiary eligibility criteria beyond those stated. The grant is structured as a project grant, meaning that funding is allocated to specific projects rather than for general operational support. Given that this program facilitates grants from lump sum appropriations, awards are contingent upon the project meeting all necessary program approvals, particularly for capital projects. Applications for this program must be submitted via email to ceo.ogmgrants@illinois.gov in response to a published Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO). All applications received by the stated deadline will be evaluated based on merit, and finalists will be notified through a Notice of State Award. Approved projects will receive funding through a combination of working capital advances (if necessary) and reimbursement, as dictated by the submission and approval of financial reports. The grant program does not allow indirect costs. Grant recipients are required to submit either quarterly or monthly reports, depending on the specifics of their risk assessment and project conditions. These reports include the Periodic Financial Report (PFR) and the Periodic Performance Report (PPR). Additionally, standard three-year record retention policies, as outlined in the executed grant agreements, apply. The program follows federal guidelines under 2 CFR 200, as well as the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) and its administrative rules. For the fiscal years 2022 through 2025, the program has seen varied funding levels, with a significant allocation of $6,000,000 for FY 2025. Current active awards include a $1.5 million grant to Growing Home, Inc., running from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, and a $1 million grant to the Village of Dixmoor, spanning September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026. The program processes grants for multiple separate projects from lump sum appropriations, with funding obligations varying by project.