The Fire Station Rehabilitation and Construction Grant Program is a state-funded initiative administered by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible units of local government for the rehabilitation or construction of fire stations. This funding aims to support fire departments, fire protection districts, and township fire departments in improving their facilities to enhance emergency response capabilities and overall public safety. The total estimated program funding available for this grant cycle is $5 million, with individual awards ranging from $1 to $350,000​.

The primary objective of this grant is to ensure that fire stations are adequately equipped to serve their communities. It supports both new fire station construction and the rehabilitation of existing stations, allowing fire service organizations to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure. The funding is limited to government entities that directly operate fire departments. Other organizations, including fire protection entities that are not recognized as units of local government, are not eligible to apply​.

Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. They must be actively registered with SAM.gov and the Illinois Grantee Portal. Additionally, applicants must have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for at least two years before applying, unless they received a Fire Department Identification Number (FDID) within the past two years. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification from grant consideration​.

Applications will undergo a two-step review process. First, an initial eligibility check will be conducted to ensure compliance with registration and reporting requirements. Eligible applications will then be ranked based on financial and spatial needs. The ranking is determined by assessing the budget per square mile and per capita, with lower-budget entities receiving priority. A committee will then conduct a blind review, awarding points based on criteria such as the applicant’s financial limitations and the necessity of the requested improvements​.

The application period for this grant runs from December 5, 2024, to February 28, 2025. All applications must be electronically submitted or postmarked by the deadline. Submissions can be sent via email to Makenzie.Evans@illinois.gov or by mail to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Prospective applicants should carefully review the grant requirements and ensure compliance with all eligibility and reporting obligations before applying​.