Construction and/or Renovation to Buildings, Additions, or Structures

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering a one-time grant under its Grants Management Program, intended to support capital improvements for a specific facility located at or near 457-459 West 79th Street in Chicago. This initiative is part of the department's broader effort to enhance the quality of life for residents throughout Illinois. The program is supported by funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly through Public Act 104-0003 and falls under the framework of the Build Illinois Bond Act, which defines allowable expenditures strictly as direct capital improvement costs. This grant will provide $100,000 in state funding to cover construction and/or renovation work on buildings, additions, or structures that meet bondable requirements under 30 ILCS 425. Funding must be used solely for bond-eligible capital expenditures; administrative, overhead, or indirect costs are explicitly disallowed. The eligible grantee is required to submit periodic performance and financial reports—alongside a detailed ledger—to ensure transparent and accountable use of state resources in alignment with project outcomes. Eligible applicants for this opportunity must be nonprofit organizations located in Cook County, Illinois, that specialize in developing music and arts training programs for students. Additional eligibility requirements include full registration and prequalification through the GATA Grantee Portal, compliance with federal and state good standing checks, and possession of valid SAM and UEI registrations. Only organizations considered ""regarded entities"" by the IRS are eligible to receive these funds. Applicants must submit a comprehensive application package including a project narrative detailing the scope of the improvements, a full budget, required disclosures, IRS documentation, and organizational financial details. The application deadline is January 9, 2026, by 5:00 PM Central Time. Submissions must be electronic, and any documentation too large to send in a single email must be split across multiple messages. Applications will be evaluated competitively using a merit review process. Scoring will be based on capacity to execute the project (40 points), potential economic impact (30 points), demonstrated community need (15 points), and project quality (15 points). Award notifications are expected within approximately three months following the deadline, though this may vary depending on additional reviews or requirements such as environmental approvals. The grantee must also comply with several state mandates, including the Prevailing Wage Act, Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative, and the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act. Capital projects may also trigger environmental review obligations. Payment terms, reporting frequency, and other compliance requirements will be outlined in the formal grant agreement, following acceptance of the Notice of State Award through the GATA Portal. David Parr at DCEO serves as the program contact for all inquiries.

Provide specific project detail in narrative; emphasize economic impact and need; ensure all documents are complete.