Casten Secures Over $9 Million for Local Projects in IL-06
Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2026) — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten secured $9,052,500 million in federal funding for local projects in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District through government funding bills passed by the House of Representatives today.
“From replacing water mains to ensure access to clean water to fixing parking lots at local parks and ensuring kids have spaces for physical education at school, these projects will improve day-to-day lives for folks in communities across the 6th Congressional District,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m incredibly proud to have brought more than $9,000,000 back to the 6th District and look forward to getting back to work on securing the next round of Community Funding Projects."
These projects were selected by Rep. Casten as part of his Community Funding Projects for FY2026. The legislation is expected to soon receive consideration in the Senate and become law.
Projects receiving federal funding include:
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$2,000,000 to replace the existing Metra station in Glen Ellyn and include a pedestrian underpass
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$250,000 for a new public works facility in Countryside
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$250,000 for water main improvements in Lombard
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$250,000 for a water main replacement in Crestwood
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$302,500 for construction and rehabilitation to fix cracked concrete and flood-prone areas for Worth Park District
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$500,000 for a permeable paver parking lot at Ty Warner Park
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$500,000 for the Regional Source Water Project at the DuPage Water Commission
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$500,000 to improve Main Pump Stations in Palos Park
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$600,000 for solar panels and energy-efficient windows at group homes at the DuPage County Health Department
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$850,000 for water main replacement in Willowbrook
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$850,000 to improve wastewater treatment at the Salt Creek Sanitary District
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$1,000,000 to build an artificial turf field at Sutherland Elementary School
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$1,200,000 for the rehabilitation of reservoirs in Palos Hills
Earlier this month, Rep. Casten secured funding for two additional Community Funding Projects; $950,000 for research equipment at Elmhurst University and nearly $1.1 million for the City of Palos Heights to ensure residents of Palos Heights and Northwestern Community Hospital have a secondary water source, should the primary source become compromised. Learn more here.
A full summary of all 15 projects secured by Rep. Casten this month, totaling $11,094,500, can be found below.
Rep. Casten’s FY 2026 Community Project Funding
Project Sponsor: Elmhurst University’s Health Sciences Research Equipment
Amount Secured: $950,000
Project Description: $950,000 for the purchase of equipment to advance cutting-edge technology research in the field of health sciences. The equipment will create a modern skills lab where researchers can practice and demonstrate assessment and intervention skills in a realistic and convenient setting. The technological settings will mirror various healthcare settings such as emergency rooms, hospital rooms, labor and delivery rooms, and operating theaters to fully immerse researchers in the clinical experience. The lab and simulation spaces will have life-like mannequins and modern medical equipment, including an anatomy table and a high-tech, 3D anatomy system. This new technology will enable researchers to conduct studies that have the potential to advance the field of health sciences significantly.
Project Sponsor: City of Palos Heights
Amount Secured: $1,092,000
Project Description: This project will upgrade the 80th Ave Pump Station to provide the City of Palos and the Northwestern Community Hospital with a secondary water source in an event the primary source becomes compromised.
Project Sponsor: Board of Education of the City of Chicago, Sutherland Elementary
Amount Secured: $1,000,000
Project Description: This project would build an artificial turf field at Sutherland Elementary School. Incorporating sustainable green infrastructure and spaces in the city of Chicago, using artificial turf, would benefit the residents of District 6. The outdoor spaces at Sutherland are heavily utilized by students and the community for a wide range of activities. A turf field provides multiple benefits to the community.
Project Sponsor: DuPage County Health Department
Amount Secured: $600,000
Project Description: The funding would be used for solar panels and energy efficient windows in our group homes to offset the expense of utilities in these homes and would result in a reduction in expenditures in the accounting unit that supports these programs.
Project Sponsor: Village of Crestwood
Amount Secured: $250,000
Project Description: This funding would be used for the installation of approximately 2,000 lineal feet of 6” water main utilizing the open-cut method. This work also entails the installation of valves, hydrants, and fittings.
Project Sponsor: Village of Glen Ellyn
Amount Secured: $2,000,000
Project Description: The funding would be used to replace the existing Metra Commuter Station in Downtown Glen Ellyn including a Pedestrian Underpass of the UP-West Line.
Project Sponsor: Westmont Park District
Amount Secured: $500,000
Project Description: The funding would be used for the implementation of a permeable paver parking lot that will improve ground water infiltration and water quality.
Project Sponsor: Worth Park District
Amount Secured: $302,500
Project Description: The park area (developed in 1993) has deteriorated over the years with cracked and heaved concrete, broken and loose pavers and flood-prone areas. In addition to continuing moving forward in being an unattractive and dilapidated site, the area has become unsafe, especially for those with disabilities. This funding would allow for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the site.
Project Sponsor: City of Palos Hills
Amount Secured: $1,200,000
Project Description: The funding would be used for rehabilitation work, including the lining and painting of the reservoirs, and the purchase and installation of the scrubber.
Project Sponsor: Salt Creek Sanitary District
Amount Secured: $850,000
Project Description: This funding would be used to improve the District’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to reduce phosphorus to Salt Creek.
Project Sponsor: Village of Palos Park
Amount Secured: $500,000
Project Description: The funding would be used for the replacement of Pump Nos. 1 and 2 and associated piping.
Project Sponsor: DuPage Water Commission
Amount Secured: $500,000
Project Description: The funding would be used to carry out necessary activities for its Regional Source Water Project including electric grid stability and electric supply analysis.
Project Sponsor: City of Countryside
Amount Secured: $250,000
Project Description: The City will utilize community project funding to acquire real property and construct a new public works facility.
Project Sponsor: Village of Willowbrook
Amount Secured: $850,000
Project Description: This project would be used for the construction and engineering associated with new water main installation and replacement along 75th Street between Sheridan Drive and Brookbank Road.
Project Sponsor: Village of Lombard
Amount Secured: $250,000
Project Description: This project includes the replacement and upgrade of the four (4") inch water main on the blocks of Craig, Stewart, and Lombard. The project will increase water flow to these residents improving water quality and fire flows
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