Community Project Funding FY2023
FY 2023 Community Projects
The House of Representatives is including Congressionally directed Community Project Funding in the FY 2023 appropriations process. Eligible entities include states, local governments, public and non-profit universities, and certain eligible non-profit organizations based on the account. Below is a list of the eligible community projects submitted by my office for the FY23 appropriations process. It's important to note, projects requested are not guaranteed for Community Project Funding. Successful projects will be selected and funded in the final FY2023 appropriations bills.
Project Sponsor: B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County
Requested Amount: $2 million
Project Description: This funding would be used to repurpose, modernize, and expand program spaces. Specifically, the funds will be used to increase affordable infant/toddler care; ADA accessibility; and teen-focused areas for STEAM learning, health and social programs
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: City of West Chicago
Requested Amount: $2 million
Project Description: This funding will be used for remediation of the Kerr-McGee Superfund. The Kerr-McGee site is one of four Superfund National Priorities List sites in the West Chicago area that had been contaminated with radioactive thorium wastes. The radioactive waste came from a nearby facility known as the Rare Earths Facility (REF). The REF produced non-radioactive elements known as rare earths and radioactive elements such as thorium, radium and uranium along with gas lantern mantles for private entities and federal atomic energy programs. With the last freight rail car containing contaminated waste being removed in 2019, and the final component of decontamination set to begin this year with groundwater remediation (uranium), the overall cleanup of the site has now plagued West Chicago for over three decades. As a means to transform the decontaminated area, an RFP was issued to retain a landscape architect to work with community representatives to design a park at the location. The anticipated project schedule for the transformation of the site is for design work to occur in 2022 with construction beginning in 2023. While community members need to be involved in its design, some potential park amenities include a therapeutic playground, walking paths, a monarch butterfly garden, a community gathering space for festivals, and public art. It will also include a path to a culvert under the Canadian National Railroad tracks that would link to Pioneer Park, and allow residents on both sides of the tracks to enjoy the amenities of both Parks.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: City of Wheaton
Requested Amount: $1,123,200
Project Description: This funding would be used for the rehabilitation of the City of Wheaton's public library. The funding would rehabilitate the entrance of the library and expand it; allowing a greater number of outdoor events that provide additional opportunities for residents engage with and use services provided by the Wheaton Library. When not in use for outdoor events, this space would function as an extension of the library's existing cafe and serve as an outdoor reading and social area for visitors.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Cooperative Development Fund of CDS / Prairie Food Coop
Requested Amount: $847,000
Project Description: This funding would be used to fill the funding gap for the Prairie Food Co-op. This project will revitalize downtown Lombard IL, support the growth of local microbusinesses, and create $1.5 million in revenues for local agriculture and local food businesses. This capital investment will construct and equip DuPage County's first community owned grocery in the heart of downtown Lombard, which will fulfill the objectives of the committee by: - creating 50-80 living wage jobs with opportunities for advancement and comprehensive - benefits, - creating steady income streams for over 300 local urban, suburban and rural Illinois farmers and producers - generating $13M in economic activity, and - stimulating the creation of 8-12 micro-businesses.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: DuPage County
Requested Amount: $1.5 million
Project Description: This request would fund preliminary engineering for a 4-mile section of the East Branch DuPage River Trail. The 4-mile section of the trail will connect trail users (pedestrians, bicyclists, runners, etc.) from various communities and existing Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trails to local and reginal attractions including downtowns, DuPage County Forest Preserves, parks, Morton Arboretum and ultimately to destinations in neighboring counties. The COVID pandemic has stimulated an increase in healthy lifestyle choices, resulting in a surge in trail users by walkers, cyclists, joggers, and a demand for more alternatives to driving. This new north-south trail segment has already garnered widespread community and citizen support both within and outside DuPage County.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: DuPage County Health Department
Requested Amount: $1 million
Project Description: This funding will be used for the construction of a Central Receiving Center (CRC). CRCs are locations where individuals within a city or county can receive immediate care for their needs, including mental health and/or substance and opioid use disorders. The purpose of this facility, to be built on the DuPage County Campus at the site of the former county juvenile detention center, is to create an easily accessible location and single point of entry, for law enforcement, emergency personnel or families to bring an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. This facility will also take pressure off our hospital emergency rooms which is where the majority of these individuals are currently transported. Once at a CRC, individuals are assessed to identify the most appropriate level of treatment for their needs within 24 hours. Advantages of the CRC system includes: identifies and links best treatment options early; reduces hospital emergencies and incarceration; provides for a safe and efficient transfer of custody and comfortable holding area; offers collaboration with law enforcement, court system and public defenders; offers individual treatment and evaluation rooms and substance use disorder classrooms; and repurposes an unused county building (saving taxpayer resources).
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Requested Amount: $2 million
Project Description: This funding will be used for the construction of a wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center. Improvements will transform wildlife care at the center and make it the District's first net-zero building. The centerpiece of the project is a 27,000-square-foot wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center that would replace the current 42-year-old Glen Ellyn building. Plans include new outdoor and indoor animal rehabilitation areas, interactive educational exhibits about the wildlife rehabilitation process, an outdoor classroom, an interpretive trail with wildlife observation areas, and outdoor activity spaces that demonstrate how to attract and live in harmony with native wildlife. The new clinic and visitor center are expected to open to the public in mid-2024 and completed by 2025 with wildlife rehabilitation continuing throughout construction. Net-zero means the energy produced from renewable resources exceeds the energy consumed by a building. We are requesting support for the net-zero enhancements to this project, including ground- and roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and a geothermal heating and cooling system. The new clinic and visitor center will also integrate energy-efficient features throughout such as minimized window to wall ratio; strategically placed windows and vaulted ceilings to increase daylight in the building; water-efficiency strategies; and LED high-efficiency lighting; and LEED commissioning of the building.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Glen Ellyn School District 41
Requested Amount: $250,000
Project Description: This funding would be used to start up on-site after school mental health support access programs for students and families.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Pace Suburban Bus
Requested Amount: $1 million
Project Description: This funding would be used to buy five new battery-electric paratransit buses.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Village of Hawthorn Woods
Requested Amount: $1.5 million
Project Description: This funding would be used to fund a utilities extension to serve an underserved population currently on well and septic systems.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Wayne Police Department
Requested Amount: $54,000
Project Description: This funding will be used to purchase new patrol radios and updated computers for department squad cars. This will help the department equip new patrol officers and aid in communication and delivery of police services.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Wheaton Sanitary District
Requested Amount: $2,655,400
Project Description: This funding will be used for Secondary Clarifier Upgrades that will include the installation of new mixed liquor piping (to alleviate hydraulic bottlenecking & flat watering), a new splitter structure, replacement of all clarifier mechanisms and components, and modifications to the sludge conveyance system to allow for increased return flows.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: WINGS Program, Inc
Requested Amount: $200,000
Project Description: This funding would be used for The funding would be used for Capital Rehabilitation of WINGS Safe Houses. For 37 years, WINGS has been helping women, men and children to escape domestic violence. WINGS provides safe emergency shelter, housing, counseling, mentoring and other supportive services to ensure that the cycle of violence ends for each family.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
Project Sponsor: Worry Free Community
Requested Amount: $144,800
Project Description: This funding would be used to make capital improvements to support a larger spectrum of healthcare needs by hosting a community health worker call center and runing programs to support data collection and community needs assessment for underserved, uninsured and new immigrant communities in IL District-06 and surrounding areas.
Link to Letter to the Appropriations Committee
FY 2022 Community Projects
Last year, the House Appropriations Committee accepted Member requests for Community Project Funding (CPF) in appropriations bills for fiscal year 2022. Community Projects Funding are congressional provisions that direct funds toward a specific project within a community. Each Member was limited to no more than 10 Community Project Funding requests across all subcommittees and there is no guarantee that all requested projects will be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.
For more information on the projects Rep. Casten submitted to committee see below:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township Pandemic Remedial Academic and SEL Program
- $245,964 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township Pandemic Remedial Academic and SEL Program in 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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
Community College District 502 Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Health Sciences Program
- $495,215 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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
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 of roadway. Deer Park Boulevard is a thorough fare through in their commercial district. The current conditions show signs of aging and problematic sound structural condition.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
360 Youth Services - Youth Affordable Housing Resource Center
- $6,600,000 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 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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
The Morton Arboretum – Chicago Region Tree Initiative
- $1,500,000 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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
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 really important project.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.
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.
- I certify that neither I nor my immediate family has any financial interest in this project.
A copy of my certification can be found here.