Community Health Center Construction Grants - Rebuild Illinois

The Community Health Center Construction Grants - Rebuild Illinois is a capital funding initiative administered by the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health. This program is authorized under the Community Health Center Construction Act (30 ILCS 766), targeting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alikes that serve Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) or Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs). Its goal is to strengthen Illinois' healthcare infrastructure by expanding access to primary care services through physical facility improvements and expansion. This grant program provides competitive funding opportunities for infrastructure-based investments in community health centers. Projects that qualify for funding include the acquisition of new sites for healthcare service delivery, construction of new facilities, renovation of existing health centers, and the purchase of equipment that supports expanded service provision. All grant expenditures must comply with the Rebuild Illinois Bond Fund restrictions, requiring that all items purchased have an extended useful life and meet criteria for bondability. Eligibility is strictly limited to FQHCs and FQHC Look-Alikes meeting the criteria defined in the Act. Eligible applicants must demonstrate service to a designated MUA or MUP, compliance with Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, and readiness to deliver comprehensive primary care services, including mental health, substance abuse, and oral health, either directly or through referral. In addition, the applicants must have the capacity to initiate or expand physical sites through renovation, acquisition, or equipment purchase. Applicants leasing property must provide a letter from the landlord agreeing to CDB’s terms. The application process includes submission of a Letter of Intent by March 1, 2026, a full grant application by March 31, 2026, and a Notification of Application form distributed to peer organizations within the applicant’s service area. Applications must be submitted through Amplifund. The grant agreement, if awarded, will span up to five years, and all construction-related contracts must be executed within two years of grant execution. Pre-award costs are typically unallowable, and projects must be fully operational upon completion of construction. Successful applicants will be notified approximately 90 days following the application deadline. Awards will be structured around construction milestones and disbursed in phases ranging from grant agreement execution to project completion. Indirect costs and administrative expenses are not eligible for reimbursement. This grant also requires compliance with a wide array of state and federal regulations including environmental, labor, and accessibility laws. Additional compliance requirements include adherence to the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act for projects $250,000 and over, and apprenticeship labor goals for projects $500,000 or greater with significant capital funding. Quarterly performance and financial reporting will be mandatory, along with periodic programmatic monitoring by CDB to ensure compliance and performance.

Ensure Letter of Intent and notification forms are complete and submitted on time to avoid disqualification.