(WAND) - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Monday $106 million in capital grants awarded to revitalize 50 commercial corridors and main streets across the street.
In addition to the $106 million in state funding, projects offered an additional $109 million in matching grant funds, for a total investment of $215 million.
Launched through Rebuild Illinois State capital funds and further expanded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the grants support projects that will revitalize commercial hubs, beautify and modernize downtowns, address critical infrastructure needs, and boost jobs.
“I am thrilled to announce that we are doubling last year’s investment in our Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Grant program to include over 50 communities throughout Illinois to modernize downtowns, address long-awaited infrastructure needs, and boost local economies — in turn, bettering the quality of life for our state’s residents,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With that upgraded infrastructure comes economic opportunity: more jobs, more business growth, and more money pouring into the communities that need it most — and that’s what Rebuild Illinois is all about.”
"Our administration knows that the road to recovery must include economic opportunities for our most vulnerable so we may all move forward together," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "The Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets grants invest in communities that have for too long been disinvested, creating a pathway to make needed improvements that uplift residents and revitalize regions across the state."
The state originally allocated $50 million in funding for this project in 2021. However, due to the high quality of applications and ongoing need, as well as the number of projects eligible for federal COVID relief funds, funding for the program increased by $56 million for a total of $106 million in investments benefiting 50 total communities. The increase in funding allowed the state to support 29 more community revitalization projects.
The RBI Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program is designed to support local commercial corridors, with concentrations of businesses that experienced difficulties during the pandemic due to declining foot traffic, tourism, and business from downtown offices.
Grants awarded through the program are located in a commercial center or downtown area and include a variety of projects, such as the restoration of historic buildings, parking and street improvements, construction or improvement of outdoor venues or plazas for public use, sustainability upgrades, structural repairs and other projects benefitting the larger community. Grants range from $398,552 to $3 million in funding.
“Today’s announcement illustrates why the General Assembly continues to prioritize Rebuild Illinois every year,” said Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside). “We have proven that we can be fiscally responsible and make groundbreaking investments in our communities.”
“Main streets and downtowns across Illinois serve as hubs for businesses and economic activity but are also places where families and friends gather to create enduring memories,” said DCEO Director Sylvia I. Garcia. “Governor Pritzker doubled the amount of funding for these grants in recognition of the critical role main streets play in creating jobs and improving quality of life across our great state. We’re proud to be investing $106 million in 50 projects that include development of business incubators, a co-op community grocery store, revitalization of historic buildings, and other essential infrastructure improvements that will play a vital role in economic development and revitalize commercial corridors for generations to come.”
Recipients & Location | Project Description | Funding |
AltonWorks, Alton | Restoration of historic buildings for the Wedge Innovation Center incubator. | $3,000,000 |
City of Aledo | Roadway & streetscape improvements, including public plazas. | $3,000,000 |
City of Anna | Downtown streetscape & water/sewer improvements. | $812,930 |
City of Arcola | Downtown infrastructure improvements, including sanitary & stormwater sewer. | $1,040,000 |
City of Aurora | Broadway Ave. corridor street & streetscape improvements. | $3,000,000 |
City of Calumet City | Burnham Ave. corridor improvements. | $686,000 |
City of Carbondale | Downtown Arts & Entertainment District improvements. | $2,055,040 |
City of Carrollton | Courthouse square improvements. | $1,900,000 |
City of Collinsville | St. Louis Road & Collinsville Road corridor initiative. | $1,828,350 |
City of Danville | Walnut Street corridor reconstruction. | $3,000,000 |
City of Edwardsville | Water/sewer & streetscape improvements on Main Street. | $2,869,031 |
City of Flora | City grants for businesses making repairs/enhancements in commercial corridors. | $1,273,268 |
City of Galesburg | Simmons Street streetscape improvements/reconstruction | $2,082,494 |
City of Greenville | New downtown public plaza, including pavilion & visitors center. | $1,900,000 |
City of Jacksonville | South Main St. reconstruction (continuation of Downtown Turnaround Project). | $2,975,161 |
City of Joliet | Construction of “City Square” on Chicago St. corridor. | $3,000,000 |
City of Kewanee | Downtown streetscape improvements. | $2,954,460 |
City of Litchfield | Rehab of historic downtown building. | $398,552 |
City of Mattoon | Downtown lighting, parking and accessibility improvements. | $525,000 |
City of Moline | 7th Ave. reconstruction & connector project. | $3,000,000 |
City of Monmouth | Downtown Square revitalization. | $3,000,000 |
City of Ottawa | Construction of an outdoor riverfront amphitheater | $3,000,000 |
City of Peoria Public Works | Wisconsin Ave. corridor project. | $3,000,000 |
City of Pittsfield | Monroe Street reconstruction/streetscaping. | $2,842,129 |
City of Quincy | 6th Street Corridor reconstruction/ streetscaping | $2,400,000 |
City of Rochelle | Downtown parking construction & rehab. | $1,151,794 |
City of Rock Falls | Acquisition and redevelopment of the abandoned Micro Industries property. | $2,200,717 |
City of Rockford | Madison St. corridor reconstruction and utilities improvements. | $2,087,966 |
City of Taylorville | Downtown square/business corridor streetscape and infrastructure improvements. | $ 3,000,000 |
City of Wenona | Downtown streetscape improvements, including sidewalks, lighting and charging stations. | $969,580 |
City of Woodstock | Woodstock Opera House renovations. | $2,964,553 |
Deeply Rooted Productions, Chicago | Construction of South Side Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood. | $2,999,414 |
E. G. Woode, L3C, Chicago | Renovating a property to create a food hub/incubator in Englewood. | $1,164,683 |
GT Partners, LLC, Rockford | Historic theater Times Theatre renovation. | $2,999,996 |
Historic Champaign Holdings, Champaign | Multi-use redevelopment of historical downtown buildings. | $3,000,000 |
Long Family Management LLC, DeKalb | Acquisition/rehab of vacant commercial property. | $566,500 |
Prairie Food Co-op, Lombard | Construction of community grocery store in downtown Lombard. | $807,835 |
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Rock Island | Downtown Rock Island Revitalization (multi-faceted) | $3,000,000 |
Re:PurposeDevelopment LLC, Centralia | Winery Block Downtown renovation for mixed-used. | $ 1,000,000 |
Village of Bourbonnais | Bourbonnais Community Campus and Village Green improvements. | $3,000,000 |
Village of Bradley | Route 50 corridor improvements. | $ 3,000,000 |
Village of Davis Junction | Commercial development and infrastructure improvements. | $ 3,000,000 |
Village of Fairmont City | Cookson St. corridor roadway, streetscape & drainage improvements. | $1,270,696 |
Village of Lansing | Business district sidewalk replacement. | $875,000 |
Village of Maywood | 5th Avenue and Lake Street Business Corridor enhancements. | $2,252,000 |
Village of Niles | Improvements at civic center, including plaza development. | $1,800,000 |
Village of North Utica | Redevelopment of vacant lot, including utilities & commercial space for small businesses. | $ 1,249,969 |
Village of Peotone | Downtown Street reconstruction and streetscape. | $2,458,071 |
Village of Rantoul | Downtown Master Plan implementation and overall Downtown revitalization including infrastructure improvements. | $3,000,000 |
Village of Richton Park | Redevelopment of Town Center properties. | $734,933 |
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