WBGZ Radio 4/9/2021 |
By Greg Bishop - Illinois Radio Network
Thousands of tax dollars in Business Interruption Grants went to entities that weren’t eligible, less than 1 percent of the $275 million that was distributed, but Republicans and Democrats criticized the administration s overall handling of the program.
During a budget hearing Tuesday, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Chief of Staff Cara Bader said at the beginning of the federally-funded Business Interruption Grants, the Secretary of State’s office had a backlog of business renewal applications.
“We did not make it a requirement of the program that active good standing had to be confirmed prior to receiving an award because we didn’t want to hold back that essential pandemic relief at the time based on a possible delay in paperwork,” Bader said.
April 9, 2021
ROCKFORD – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Chicago Blackhawks, the City of Rockford, and the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing a $23 million multi-year capital project to revitalize the BMO Harris Bank Center – Rockford’s largest sports arena and entertainment venue. With support from state, local and private sector partners, the project will spur regional economic development and lay the groundwork for the acquisition of Rockford-based professional hockey team, the Rockford IceHogs, by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
The City of Rockford, RAVE, the State of Illinois, and the Chicago Blackhawks are partnering to invest in building improvements to the BMO Harris Bank Center, home of the IceHogs. Fueled in part by Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois $45 billion capital plan, the project will modernize Rockford’s largest destination asset, creating
Illinois DOT Issues $7 Million for Local Truck Traffic Projects
Gov. Pritzker at a past press conference. (Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press)
The Illinois Department of Transportation awarded $7 million in support of projects that will upgrade roads to better accommodate local truck traffic.
The funding was distributed unevenly across 21 projects, which represent a total investment of $36 million.
“Illinois is the country’s transportation hub, with freight activity a cornerstone of the state’s economy,” said IDOT Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, we want our local partners to have the necessary tools to manage traffic safely and spur even more job creation and economic growth.”
Credit Illinois.gov
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a total of $18.2 million in grants will be awarded to 34 downstate and rural communities facing threats to health and safety because of infrastructure issues.
The Community Development Block Grant program for 2020, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is estimated to benefit around 113,266 Illinois residents by funding water and sewer upgrades and repairs in low-income, rural communities.
The repairs must be made to shared water and sewer infrastructure with the intent of enhancing safety and quality of life for those within the eligible cities and towns.
By Grace Barbic
Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a total of $18.2 million in grants will be awarded to 34 downstate and rural communities facing threats to health and safety because of infrastructure issues.
The Community Development Block Grant program for 2020, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is estimated to benefit around 113,266 Illinois residents by funding water and sewer upgrades and repairs in low-income, rural communities.
The repairs must be made to shared water and sewer infrastructure with the intent of enhancing safety and quality of life for those within the eligible cities and towns.