Site Improvements

The State of Illinois Uniform Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Site Improvements program, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), seeks to enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents through capital improvement projects. This grant opportunity, funded by the state with a total of $1,000,000 available, focuses on sidewalk construction and restoration projects that comply with bondable requirements outlined in the Build Illinois Bond Act. The program aims to fund projects that meet specific direct cost requirements, as stipulated in the Act, to achieve tangible improvements in community infrastructure.

Eligible applicants are limited to municipalities within Cook County, Illinois, that had a population between 10,500 and 10,600 as per the 2010 U.S. Census. Only one application per municipality is permitted, and all applicants must meet registration and pre-qualification standards through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal. These requirements include having a valid Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), active SAM.gov registration, and being in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Entities on exclusion lists such as the Illinois Stop Payment List or the Federal Excluded Parties List are ineligible.

The program does not require cost sharing or matching and restricts funding to direct capital improvement costs. Indirect costs, general operation overhead, and administrative expenses are not eligible for coverage under this grant. Applicants must provide a detailed project narrative that outlines the scope of the proposed activities, budget breakdowns, and evidence of need, capacity, economic impact, and quality. The evaluation criteria weight these factors, with capacity and economic impact carrying the highest points. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale by an evaluation committee, with the final rankings determining funding decisions.

The application process involves submitting a complete package, including a Uniform Grant Application, project narrative, budget, W-9 form, IRS documentation, and required disclosures, through the designated program email by January 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Late submissions may be disqualified. The DCEO will notify selected grantees within three months after the application deadline, subject to review factors such as environmental compliance and funding release timelines.

Selected grantees are required to comply with several administrative and performance reporting requirements. These include quarterly submission of Periodic Financial Reports (PFR) and Periodic Performance Reports (PPR), adherence to the Prevailing Wage Act, and compliance with the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative for projects exceeding $500,000. The Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act mandates the use of Illinois labor during periods of high unemployment. Grantees are also subject to regular monitoring and audits to ensure accountability.

This NOFO represents a one-time initiative to fund critical capital improvements under the annual appropriation bill (Public Act 103-0589). The DCEO encourages municipalities that meet the eligibility requirements to apply and contribute to enhancing community infrastructure and economic well-being through this opportunity. For additional questions, applicants may contact David E. Parr at the DCEO Office of Grants Management.