Chicago Suburban LaGrange Park to Receive Long-Awaited Illinois Grant

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Feb 03, 2012, 12:38 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has awarded a $600,000 grant for public works construction to the Village of LaGrange Park, under the 2009 Illinois Jobs Now! Capital Bill, a $31 billion statewide construction program.

"A capital construction program was one of the first priorities of my administration", said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, in a statement regarding passage of the bill. The capital plan is a key component in providing local budget relief to Illinois municipalities.

LaGrange Park's project, to update and repair a dilapidated public works building, has weathered economic ups and downs. Project planning began in 2008, but was dashed when American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds failed to materialize. The project revived with passage of the 2009 Jobs Now! Capital Bill, but was deferred while the constitutionality of the Illinois bill was debated in court.

Trustees of LaGrange Park, a bedroom community recognized by Forbes.com's in its 2010 list of America's 20 Most Stable Housing Markets, budgeted cumulative reserves of $645,000 for the project, but did not green-light groundbreaking until the remaining $600,000 grant funding was assured. According to Village President James Discipio, a proponent of fiscal conservatism, the Village adopted a "focus on core services" budgeting strategy to overcome external economic challenges. "We aligned those services citizens expect with what we can afford, as we continue to keep our community safe and maintain our Village's infrastructure. Last year, 'A Focus on Core Services' meant that major capital projects were postponed until we were financially capable of moving forward."

According to Village Manager Julia Cedillo, who helped prepare the grant application, a conceptual design assessment commissioned for the building required specific repair and improvement alternatives to fall within a predetermined budget.

In July 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned an Appellate Court ruling that questioned the structure and format of the Capital Bill.

"Every municipality should leverage this bill and its funding sources for its local workers and economies," said Tom Villanova, President of the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council.

About LaGrange Park

The Village of LaGrange Park, founded in 1892, with a population of 14,000, is located 15 miles from downtown Chicago.

Contact the Village of La Grange Park:
Julia Cedillo, Village Manager
Phone: 708-354-0225
http://www.lagrangepark.org