Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) announced Friday he had secured $2 million to rehab the Village of Forest View’s water system, money for Brookfield and Stickney to modernize police communications equipment and funds for updates and rehab work at the Summit Public Library.
The money is part of $13.6 million in direct federal funding for Community Project Funding to benefit 15 organizations on Chicago’s Southwest Side and southwestern suburbs.
This funding represents the latest installment in more than $63 million across 54 projects in targeted federal investments delivered to Garcia’s district since 2022.
“I am pleased to have secured $13,591,865.00 in Community Project Funding to address vital needs in our district,” García said. “Over the years, we’ve focused on investments that address the district’s urgent concerns. This round includes funding for lead pipe replacement, bus service improvements, updates to classrooms for students with disabilities, and upgraded radios for police departments. I am proud to have delivered these investments to improve the health and safety of my district.”
Projects receiving money are:
- $2 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, to rehabilitate the Village of Forest View’s water system, which includes an elevated tank that holds 250,000 gallons of water. This project will also rehabilitate their underground reservoir, holding approximately 500,000 gallons of water.
- $623,000 for the Village of Brookfield, to modernize police communications and safety infrastructure, improving coordination, reliability, and training for officers serving the community.
- $428,000 for the Village of Stickney to modernize police communication equipment.
- $452,408 in funding for building updates and rehabilitation to the Summit Public Library District. The needed facility improvements to the roofing and HVAC will ensure that the library remains a functioning space and conserves valuable books, documents, and technology.
- $446,250 to modernize classrooms at Richard J. Daley College, expanding accessible career training for adults with intellectual, sensory, developmental, and physical disabilities and strengthening pathways to employment.
- $2 million for the Village of North Riverside to replace eight blocks of deteriorated plain cement concrete public alleys with a new permeable pavement that is designed to naturally drain and redirect rainwater away from the village’s collection system and into the soil underneath.
- $1 million for Leyden Township to replace its water main. This project will also replace lead water pipes that are harmful to human health.
- $1 million for the Town of Cicero to construct a new water pumping station that includes a finished water reservoir. This project will improve the water quality and supply for the region.
- $1 million for the Village of Hinsdale to reduce sewer flow into Flagg Creek. The reconstruction includes a sewer separation project that will replace the water main and sanitary sewer lining.
- $1 million for the Village of Melrose Park to replace existing deteriorated water mains. The condition of the current system is causing service interruptions to residents.
- $1 million for the Village of Berkeley to begin replacing lead service lines in accordance with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s mandate for the provision of safe, lead-free drinking water to the residents of Illinois.
- $1 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, to support sewer infrastructure improvements in the Village of Riverside that will reduce flooding and prevent sewer backups in homes and buildings during heavy rain. This project will improve system capacity and reliability while reducing pressure on regional sewer infrastructure.
- $750,000 for the City of Elmhurst to modernize police communications and safety equipment, including portable radios, officer training tools, and updated response technology.
- $250,000 for Pace, to implement transit signal priority (TSP) on North Avenue, one of the busiest corridors between Melrose Park and Northlake. The project will update traffic signals to improve bus reliability, improve travel times, and promote access to public transportation.
- $250,000 for infrastructure needed to support the Village of Franklin Park’s downtown expansion by funding streetscape and landscaping improvements on Franklin Avenue from 25th Avenue east to Edgington Street. The project will allow safer access to downtown businesses, public transportation, and park facilities for residents and visitors.
The Community Project Funding process allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. CPF is separate from federal grants, and funding is apportioned by formula. CPFs are also not regular appropriations requests, which deal with overall funding levels for federal programs.