Site Improvements

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the Site Improvements grant under the Grants Management Program, as authorized by Public Act 103-0589. The goal of this grant is to fund capital improvements intended to enhance the quality of life for residents of Illinois. The grant is tied to a specific geographic area, focusing on properties located at 4711-4755 South Calumet Avenue in Chicago. The initiative utilizes state bond funds under the Build Illinois Bond Act, and only direct costs specified in the Act are allowable expenses. The Site Improvements grant offers $2,000,000 in total program funding and will award a single grant to an eligible Illinois municipality with a population of approximately 3,000,000 according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The eligible municipality must also have jurisdiction over the specified site to perform the required improvements. The funds may be used for land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, or construction on new or existing properties. Indirect costs and general administrative overhead are not eligible for coverage. Subrecipients and subcontractors involved in the project must be pre-approved by DCEO and abide by the grant agreement provisions. Applicants are required to register and pre-qualify through the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal and meet several conditions, including being in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and not being listed on federal or state exclusion lists. Applications must include a detailed project narrative, uniform grant application and budget, conflict of interest disclosure, mandatory disclosures, W-9 form, and IRS verification letter. Only one application is permitted per applicant, and submissions must be made electronically by June 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applications will be reviewed based on merit and scored on four criteria: capacity (40 points), economic impact (25 points), need (20 points), and quality (15 points). The review process is competitive, and awards are not guaranteed. The final selection will be made approximately three months after the deadline, subject to various review processes including environmental assessments and release of bond funds. Awarded grantees will be required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports, comply with prevailing wage requirements, and potentially meet goals set by the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative and Business Enterprise Program. Site visits, audits, and monitoring will ensure adherence to the program’s fiscal and performance standards. All grant-related inquiries and applications should be directed to David E. Parr at CEO.OGMgrants@illinois.gov or 217-685-1197.