The Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program, as detailed in the funding notice, aims to provide capital funding to reproductive health care facilities in Illinois that are experiencing increased demand. This program supports the construction, renovation, or repair of facilities, as well as the acquisition of durable equipment to enhance capacity and care quality. The funding is also available for security enhancements. This initiative responds to the increased pressure on Illinois facilities due to the influx of out-of-state patients following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. A total of $5 million in state funding is available, with award amounts ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.

The program’s primary purpose is to expand and maintain access to quality reproductive health services in Illinois. Eligible projects may include new construction, major renovations, or improvements that increase the capacity to provide services such as abortion care, contraception, prenatal care, and pregnancy counseling. The grant also supports investments in mobile care units and security measures like alarm systems and surveillance equipment. Grantees are required to provide a 15% cash match for the total project cost, which may come from private funds or other grant sources.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit clinics currently offering or planning to provide pregnancy-related services, such as abortion care, prenatal care, and STI testing. Facilities must employ licensed healthcare professionals and meet the requirements outlined in the Illinois Reproductive Health Act. Hospitals or healthcare providers where over half of the clinical services are unrelated to pregnancy care are ineligible. Applications from clinics in rural or underserved areas, or those addressing significant safety issues, will receive higher priority during the merit review process.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Required submissions include a project narrative detailing the scope, budget, and projected outcomes; architectural or construction documents, if available; and completed forms like the Uniform Grant Application and Budget Template. Applicants must also be registered in the GATA Grantee Portal and meet compliance requirements, including having a valid SAM registration and not being listed on federal or state exclusion lists. Grantees will also be subject to state and federal requirements, including those related to the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act and the Prevailing Wage Act.

Applications are evaluated using a merit-based review system, with a minimum score of 70 required for award recommendations. Proposals scoring between 60 and 70 may be considered in subsequent quarters if funding remains available. Evaluation criteria focus on the applicant's capacity to execute the project, the documented need for expanded services, and the quality of the project plan, including a detailed timeline and reasonable budget. Higher scores are given to projects that address safety concerns, serve underserved areas, or offer a wide range of pregnancy-related services.

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award, after which a grant agreement will be finalized. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial and performance updates, with a final closeout report required at the end of the grant term. Additional monitoring and auditing will be conducted to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. For projects exceeding $500,000, compliance with the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative and other labor-related requirements will be mandatory. The anticipated start date for funding awards is September 1, 2023, with performance periods lasting one to two years.