NCICG holds 30^th Annual Dinner

7 Past Mayors Honored  & Carol Kulek, Keynote Speaker from IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity 

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, North Central IL Council of Governments (NCICG) celebrated their 30^th year by recognizing the following former Mayors / Village Presidents for their support of NCICG: 

• Tim Shipp, President of   Village of Bureau Junction
• Don Bosnich, Jr., President of   Village of DePue
• Kevin Troglio, President of   Village of Mark
• James A Narczewski, Mayor of   City of Spring Valley
• Larry L. Harber, Mayor of   City of Toluca
• In memoriam James Kupec, Mayor of   City of Wenona
• John Gordon, President of   Village of Wyanet 

The honorees (representing a combined 204 years of service as mayor/village president and trustee/alderman/councilman), received plaques recognizing their many years of service. Each Achievement Award was inscribed… “In Grateful Appreciation for Dedicated Service to the People of their respective city/village and their Support of the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.”  

Over the 30 years, NCICG wrote and administered a total of approximately 60grants for a variety of projects in these seven (7) communities.  Total grant funds awarded equals $14,732,157.  These grants resulted in a total of  $87,645,210 of public and private funds being invested in these seven (7) communities.  This figure does not include the peripheral benefits and expenditures that occur because of projects like this (e.g. jobs created).   The evening's program also included a presentation by Carol Kulek from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Bureau of Energy/Recycling. Her presentation, entitled: "Energy Efficiency Resources for Local Governments,” outlined for the communities how the DCEO and NCICG will be working with Federal Recovery funds to help their communities become more energy efficient.  Ms. Kulek made the formal announcement that NCICG will be administering over $900,000 in Federal Recovery funds for the statewide Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant Program .  The funds will be granted to local governments in the region through a competitive application process.   Carol was introduced by past Executive Director of NCICG, Doug McDermand.  Doug gave a brief history of NCICG highlighting some of the major accomplishments. 

NCICG, a not-for-profit regional planning agency has been providing planning, technical assistance, and grant writing services to counties, townships, and communities since 1979.   NCICG works to strengthen the capacity of local governments in the North Central Illinois region, and to provide information about and access to state and federal programs through a program of intergovernmental cooperation.