Decatur City Council approves $70K in nonprofit grants despite ethics concerns

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — For many nonprofits, grants are a lifeline.

The Decatur City Council approved $70,000 in grants to eight community organizations.

Council member David Horn said the funding comes at a critical time.

"This has resulted in multiple entities making emergency appeals to the community for support, and some entities closing their doors temporarily or permanently," Horn said.

However, not everyone agreed. Councilwoman Lisa Gregory voted against the measure and said she was uncomfortable with the process.

"When politicians take on that role, the process becomes exposed to bias, backdoor influence and other avoidable conflicts of interest. It turns public money into a political tool," Gregory said.

Gregory said she believes it is unethical for council members to score grant applications.

"The current scoring process has created serious accountability problems. When council members on review panels have personal or professional ties to applicants, conflicts of interest are possible," Gregory said.

The taxpayer-funded grants awarded $10,000 each to Good Samaritan Inn, the Decatur Area Arts Council, the Children's Museum of Illinois, Macon Resources Inc. (MRI) and United Way. The remaining funding was awarded to the Decatur Family YMCA, God's Place of Deliverance Church and the Boys & Girls Club.

Looking ahead to next year, Councilman Pat McDaniel Cooper recommended awarding grants to different nonprofits each year to make the process fairer. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe also called for changes.

"If this renewal comes up, I won't support it. We have our job to do, which is public safety, clean water and infrastructure. I think we need to stay in our lane," Wolfe said.

City council members said the grants support projects that align with the city's priorities, including community revitalization and economic development.