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Grant Opportunities for Local Governments

Grant Opportunities for Local Governments

This section provides information about funding or other incentives for local or regional projects.  If your community is interested in pursuing funds from any of the following programs, or any program that is not listed, please feel free to contact our office.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Public Infrastructure
Housing Rehabilitation Program
  • Improve housing by rehabilitating and retrofitting homes.
  • Maximum grant funds of $650,000 with a limit of $60,000 per household for low-to-moderate income residents of single-family owner-occupied housing units.
  • Provides residents with safe and sanitary living conditions and helps stabilize neighborhoods and affordable housing in the community.
  • Click here for more information about the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Economic Development
  • Maximum of $1,000,000.00 for gap financing to assist businesses locating or expanding in the community.
  • Funds may be used for machinery and equipment, working capital, building construction and renovation, or improvements to public infrastructure that creates and/or retains jobs in the community.
  • Click here to learn more about Economic Development.
Disaster Response

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)

Brownfields Financial Help
Underground Storage Tank Fund
Unsewered Communities
Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities
  • Provides funding opportunities for projects to construct green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments by decreasing stormwater runoff into Illinois’ rivers, streams, and lakes. BMPs may be located on both public or private land.
  • Learn more about Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities
Nonpoint Source Grants
  • Available to local units of government and other organizations to protect water quality in Illinois. Projects must address water quality issues relating directly to nonpoint source pollution.
  • Learn more about Nonpoint Source Grants
Wastewater/Stormwater and Drinking Water Loans
Driving a Cleaner Illinois

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Rural Development (RD)

Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program
  • Offers direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America.
  • Funds can be used to construct, expand or improve facilities that provide health care, education, public safety, and public services. Projects include fire and rescue stations, village and town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, adult and child care centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community-based initiatives.
  • Learn more about Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program
Water & Waste Disposal Loans and Grants

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Safe Routes to Schools Program (SRTS) – Postponed until Fall 2021
  • SRTS uses a multidisciplinary approach to improve conditions for students who walk or bike to school. SRTS funds infrastructure and non-infrastructure improvements. Projects are funded at 80 percent with a 20 percent local match required.
  • Learn more about Safe Routes to Schools Program (SRTS)
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)
  • Additional state funding is being set-aside for projects in the categories of bike and pedestrian facilities as well as the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails.
  • Local agencies may be eligible for state funds to be used towards their match of federal funds.
  • An Interactive GIS map will be used to determine the My Community Map score.
  • Learn more about Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)

United States Department of Justice

Bulletproof Vests Program (BPV) – Opens in April and ends 6 weeks after the open date.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Assistance for Firefighters Grants Programs

Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants – Application period 1/21/21 to 2/26/21
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) – Application period 1/4/21 to 2/12/21
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) – Application period 2/8/21 to 3/12/21

Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)/(FEMA)

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants (HMA)

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA)

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program (OSLAD) – No funding opportunities for FY2021
Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – FY21 only electronic applications
Boat Access Area Development Program (BAAD) – No new application date is posted
Illinois Bicycle Path Program – No new application date is posted
Snowmobile Grant Program – Application deadline May 1 each year
  • Program for any unit of local government located in a region of Illinois with sufficient snow cover and having statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public park and recreation purposes.
  • Learn more about Snowmobile Grant Program
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Program – Applications accepted 1/4/21 through 3/1/21
  • Financial aid to government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and other eligible groups or individuals to develop, operate, maintain, and acquire land for off-highway vehicle parks and trails. Facilities must be open and accessible to the public. Can also help restore areas damaged by unauthorized OHV use.
  • Learn more about Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Program
Recreational Trails Grant Program (RTP) – No new application date is posted

Public Library Construction Grant Program Illinois State Library

Live and Learn Construction Grant Program
  • Funded by an annual state legislative appropriation, assists public libraries with construction costs in their facilities.
  • Awarded based on recommendations from a statewide committee following a review process. Local money is matched by state grants, except for Mini-Grants.
  • Learn more about Live and Learn Construction Grant Program
Public Library Construction Act Grant Program

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