August 03, 2021

10 Community Funding Projects Secured by Rep. Casten Passed by House, Including Investments in Decarbonization and Energy Storage Technologies

Washington, DC — Last week, the House passed the FY 2022 funding package, which included victories for Illinois that U.S. Congressman Sean Casten secured to make smart investments in decarbonization technologies to lower industrial emissions and clean energy storage technologies. In addition, Rep. Casten secured federal funds for all ten community projects requested, which will drive funds directly to Illinois 6th congressional district.

"After an extremely competitive community project submission process, I'm thrilled to see all ten of our district's requests are included in the appropriations bills, which will drive $7.9 million directly into our communities," said Congressman Casten. "In addition to these direct funds, the appropriations bills include important funding priorities for the whole of government which I was proud to help secure. Included are investments in decarbonization technologies to lower industrial emissions and robust energy storage research which will help combat the climate crisis, while creating jobs and spurring economic growth."

From addressing COVID-19 learning loss and combatting homelessness to making it easier for folks to get to work, this funding will make a critical difference in the lives of constituents in Illinois' 6th Congressional district. The House Appropriations Committee completed their consideration of the funding bills and the bills now head to the House floor. Following House passage, they will then need to clear the Senate before they move to President Biden's desk for a signature.

Congressman Casten received initial approval for the projects he requested from the House Appropriations Committee in the FY22 funding bills.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township Pandemic Remedial Academic and SEL Program

$250,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township Pandemic Remedial Academic and SEL Programing fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Boys & Girls Clubs in Dundee Township located at 20 S. Grove Street, Suite #201, Carpentersville, IL, 60110.
The funding would be used to run programs aimed at low-income K-12 students to address learning loss and social-emotional learning needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community College District 502 Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Health Sciences Program

$500,000 for Community College District 502 Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Health Sciences Program in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Community College District 502 located at 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137.
The funding would be used to purchase technology, such as radiological equipment and simulation mannequins, to better prepare students for careers in health care.

DuPage Regional Office of Education

$250,000 for DuPage Regional Office of Education in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the DuPage Regional Office of Education located at 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL, 60187.
The funding would be used to hire staff and design programs to prepare high school students for jobs and apprenticeships in manufacturing and other trades.

Village of Barrington - Pedestrian Grade Separation at Main Street and the Canadian National Railroad

$500,000 for the Village of Barrington's Pedestrian Grade Separation at Main Street and the Canadian National Railroad in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project the Village of Barrington is located at 200 S. Hough Street, Barrington, IL 60010.
The funding would be used for Pedestrian Grade Separation at Main Street and the Canadian National Railroad. This is become a high rail traffic area and has reduced the accessibility, reliability, and safety of this intersection for pedestrians. A pedestrian grade separation would allow for uninterrupted pedestrian traffic at this rail crossing in a safe and accessible manner. This increased connectivity is a major goal of the Village's Comprehensive Plan based on significant resident feedback in favor of pedestrian and bike improvements throughout the Village.

Village of Deer Park - Deer Park Boulevard - Road Program

$614,000 for the Village of Deer Park - Deer Park Boulevard - Road Program in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project, the Village of Deer Park, is located at 23680 W Cuba Rd, Deer Park, IL 60010.
The funding would be used for Deer Park Boulevard - Road Program for road reconstruction of 2,750 roadway. Deer Park Boulevard is a thoroughfare through in their commercial district. The current conditions show signs of aging and problematic sound structural condition.

Bridges Communities, Inc. - Capital Rehabilitation of Glendale Heights Program Campus

$197,644 for the Capital Rehabilitation of Glendale Heights Program Campus – Affordable and Transitional Housing Apartments in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project, Bridge Communities, Inc., is located at 505 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137.
The funding would be used for Capital Rehabilitation of Glendale Heights Program Campus – Affordable and Transitional Housing Apartments. The Bridge Communities plans to renovate its Glendale Heights campus, comprised of one eight-flat building (1579 Floyd Brown Lane) and one six-flat building (1561 Floyd Brown Lane). The organization built 1579 Floyd Brown Lane in 1995 as their first building and it has not been renovated since then and the fund would go towards much needed improvements. For 33 years, Bridge Communities has been serving extremely low to low income homeless families, mostly single mothers with two or more children. Bridge provides safe, clean, and affordable housing and needs to complete this moderate rehab project in order to continue doing so for the families.

360 Youth Services - Youth Affordable Housing Resource Center

$3,000,000 for the 360 Youth Services' Youth Affordable Housing Resource Center in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project, 360 Youth Services, is located at 1035 Oswego Road Naperville, IL 60540.
The funding would be used as a Youth Affordable Housing Resource Center to provide youth-specific housing and homelessness prevention services in DuPage, Kane, Will and surrounding counties. The Center will be a regional access point for trauma-informed mental health care, crisis intervention, family services, vocational training, educational support, rental assistance, legal aid, and LGBTQ+ affirming services. The building will include 20 small private studios; 15 multipurpose rooms; 4 meeting rooms and community space. Non-congregate design will provide: a) safe shelter during health emergencies; b) flexibility to meet changing needs for short/long-term shelter; and c) safe, dignified shelter for youth of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Services for ages 13-24 will empower vulnerable youth to participate in the regional economy. Project scope to include acquisition of adjacent land, site work, revision of existing site plans based on new HUD non-congregate guidelines, and construction.

The Morton Arboretum – Chicago Region Tree Initiative

$750,000 for The Morton Arboretum's participation in the Chicago Region's Tree Initiative in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project, the Morton Arboretum, is located at 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532.
The funding would be used for The Morton Arboretum's participation in The Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) which assists municipalities, counties, and other communities in the 7-county Chicago metropolitan region to: plant and grow trees to mitigate and develop resilience to climate change; plant and care for trees to assist community health; and address environmental inequities in underserved and diverse communities. This project increases the urban canopy, diversifies the urban forestry to reduce catastrophic loss, improves capacity of communities to plant and care for trees, and increases tree production.

Village of Burr Ridge – Regional Watercourse

$785,000 for a Regional Watercourse in the Village of Burr Ridge in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project, the Village of Burr Ridge, is located at 7660 County Line Rd, Burr Ridge, IL 60527.
The funding would be used for a regional watercourse in Burr Ridge that is conveyed beneath Elm Street by a large, corrugated metal pipe that has significant corrosion and has reached the end of its useful life. A collapse of this pipe would impact Elm School (District 181) for several months, impede regional traffic in Hinsdale, Willowbrook, and Burr Ridge, and likely result in private property damage to adjacent homes. The culvert is too small to accommodate normal heavy rainstorms; therefore, Elm Street is flooded several times each year. Replacing this pipe is a high priority before a collapse occurs. Coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer and Illinois Department of Natural Resources has already begun to expedite the project and mitigate any environmental impacts to regulatory floodway and floodplain. And providing these target funds would help expedite this important project.

Downers Grove Sanitary District - Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

$1,080,000 for Sanity Sewer Rehabilitation in Downers Grove in fiscal year 2022.
The entity to receive funding for this project, the Downers Grove Sanitary District, is located at 2710 Curtiss St, Downers Grove, IL, 60515.
The funding would be used for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, approximately 4,500 lf of 42-inch reinforced concrete pipe would be rehabilitated using cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), which is a trenchless technique where an epoxy-laden liner is inserted in the pipe and heat-cured in place. Due to the age and condition of the pipe, this section of pipe has leaky joints which allow infiltration and inflow (I/I). There is also root intrusion at the joints. Roots growing inside the pipe can cause obstructions which could potentially backup the flow and cause sanitary sewer overflows to St. Joseph Creek. Lining the pipe will prevent I/I and root intrusion, eliminating obstructions and lost capacity due to I/I. The pipes in the older portions of Downers Grove and Westmont have significant I/I. The District, therefore, has been focusing on removing and preventing I/I so that we can continue to accept flows from new developments as they request service.