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Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets (RDMS) & Research in Illinois to Spur Economic (RISE) Recovery Implementation Grants

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­­­­­­Northeast Region Weekly Update

July 8, 2024

 

Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets (RDMS) & Research in Illinois to 

Spur Economic (RISE) Recovery Implementation Grants

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $30 million in funding for the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital (RDMS, $20 million) and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE, $10 million) programs to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas throughout the state and accelerate local economic recovery initiatives. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.


The Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program (RDMS) will provide grants for construction, repair and modernization of public infrastructure and amenities to boost jobs, improve quality of life and stimulate economic activity for communities that have experienced disinvestment.


Projects eligible for RDMS grants must be located in a commercial center or downtown area and may include, but are not limited to roadways, parking and public way improvements, investments in parks and venues or plazas for public use, sustainability upgrades, structural repairs, and mixed-use or transit-oriented development.


Through the RISE Implementation Program, the State is allocating funding toward economic development projects or initiatives identified in plans produced with support from RISE Local and Regional Planning grants to accelerate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible projects may include capital and non-capital projects such as water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure, investment in affordable housing, local workforce development programming, retrofitting or renovating facilities and buildings, investment in site readiness for business development, and tourism promotion programming.


Qualified entities for both programs include EDOs, local units of government and private for-profit and non-profit businesses. RDMS projects must be located in a commercial corridor or downtown area, and RISE projects must be aligned with a RISE Planning grant recovery plan. Applicants must demonstrate consistency with applicable local or regional economic development plans and provide letters of support from elected officials and other community stakeholders. Successful applicants will demonstrate that their project will address barriers to economic growth and/or stimulate economic growth and recovery. Eligible entities are limited to one submission.


To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for application assistance. For more information and to review the NOFO, click here. Application deadline July 22, 2024.




Office of Broadband

BEAD 101

New to the BEAD program? Learn about the $1 billion coming to Illinois to connect all households to broadband. This webinar is intended for those with little to no information about the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Friday, July 12, 12-1 pm CT | Registration Link

 

OMEE Events & Webinars

2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit - Rising Together: Empowering and Shaping the Future Strategically
Thursday | July 18, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm | in-person | Register here (in English)
Malcolm X College - Conference Center. Chicago, IL

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity through its Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) Latinx Business Colectivo cordially invites you to the 2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit. The bilingual event will feature matchmaking opportunities for funding, guidance on building and sustaining business networks - scheduled networking opportunities, navigating certifications, and more. You will gain valuable information on marketing and crafting an elevator pitch for your business! Click here to register in Spanish.


Business Smart Week 2024: Breaking Down Barriers to Business Equity
July 30th and August 1st | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | in-person
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. 230 S LaSalle. Chicago, IL 60604

Business Smart Week features top business diversity leaders and experts that will provide diverse and small businesses with the tools to better manage and grow their business. This year's program will feature discussions with prominent minority business owners, corporate and non-profit CEOs on offering solutions to eliminating the barriers to diverse business growth. Click here to view the event flyer.

 

For more information on the 2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit, contact Diana Alfaro, Business Development Manager, at Diana.Alfaro@Illinois.gov.

 

Illinois Works Bid Credit Program

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that contractors can now apply for the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program. The program is part of the state’s multipronged effort to increase equity and opportunity in capital construction jobs through the Illinois Works (ILW) Jobs Program.  The Illinois Works Bid Credit Program is designed for contractors working on or interested in working on State of Illinois-funded capital projects. The program offers eligible contractors the opportunity to earn bid credits by hiring and retaining Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program graduates.


Bid credits are virtual dollars contractors can earn when they hire and retain an ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program graduate who is enrolled in a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program (DOL RAP) and works on both state-funded capital projects or any construction project. Once these bid credits are earned, contractors can submit the credits to bid on future state-funded public works projects. Eligible contactors can request ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program graduates from DCEO’s Illinois Works Career Services Team using the Illinois Works Employer Form. The Illinois Works Career Services Team will identify program graduates who meet contractor needs and requirements.


Through the ILW Bid Credit Program, contractors can earn up to six years of bid credits for each hired and retained ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program graduate, depending on their trade of choice. This will increase contractors' competitiveness when submitting future bids for state capital projects. This program also allows contractors to pool their bid credits with other contractors to strengthen their bids.


Enrolling in this program gives contractors access to the various skilled and certified graduates of the ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program. Besides being eligible to generate bid credits through the Bid Credit Program for contractors that hire them, graduates will also help contractors maintain compliance with state apprenticeship requirements, which includes the 10% apprenticeship goal of the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative. 

To view application information and apply for the Bid Credit Program, please visit the DCEO website.


Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus Urban Shelter Program

DCEO is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity to solicit applications for Business Resiliency program funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funds through the State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Community Development.


The objective of this program is to fund construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property for Homeless (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shelters dedicated to the provision of stable, safe and adequate housing; with a goal of increasing capacity to pre-COVID levels.


Eligible Applicants must:

• Be a unit of local government receiving, or in an area receiving direct “Entitlement” Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. See list below.

• Have a current Shelter Funding Strategy identifying needs and plans to meet the needs.

• Have a strong collaborative relationship with all relevant local entities (service providers, community organizations, etc.) and have letters of support from a minimum of 5 community homelessness support services;

• Remain compliant with all applicable provisions of State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity including, but not limited to: The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.), The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.), The United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a-and 2000H-6), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794), The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.)


The following Units of Local Government receiving an annual allocation directly from HUD on an entitlement (formula) basis are “Entitlements”, and eligible for this grant. Communities located within a named Urban County are also eligible to apply. In 2023, Illinois had 33 metropolitan cities and eight urban counties named as Entitlements. They are: Urban Counties: Cook County, Madison County, DuPage County, McHenry County, Kane County, St. Clair County, Lake County, Will County Metropolitan Cities: Arlington Heights, DeKalb, Mount Prospect, Rantoul, Aurora, Des Plaines, Naperville, Rockford, Berwyn, Elgin, Normal, Rock Island, Bloomington, Evanston, Oak Lawn, Schaumburg, Champaign, Hoffman Estates, Oak Park, Skokie, Chicago, Joliet, Palatine, Springfield, Cicero, Kankakee, Pekin, Urbana, Danville, Moline, Peoria, Waukegan, Decatur


For more information visit Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Urban Shelter Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3351-2722) (illinois.gov)  Application deadline July 31, 2024.




Office of Accountability

Curious about the grant lifecycle or wanting to learn more about the different facets of grants? Do you have a grant-related question that you would like answered in real time? DCEO is pleased to offer three training options for current and potential grantees. Interested in participating in a training session? Sign up here

Virtual Office Hour Q & A - Tuesdays at 2pm:
Join for a virtual question and answer session via Webex in which potential and current Grantees may attend to ask questions and seek assistance. Technical Support Managers will be online to field questions, demonstrate steps, or provide instructions as needed to assist entities and individuals with the grant process.

Pre-Qualification Training – 1st Wednesday of the month 9AM:
This slide presentation will cover Pre-Qualification requirements. Pre-qualification is required of all grantees with the State of Illinois and must be maintained throughout a grant program. To be in pre-qualified status means that all required registrations have been met and an entity is in good standing and able to conduct business with the State of Illinois. Join DCEO’s Technical Support Team as we explain each step in the pre-qualification process and how to get started.

Various topics Training – 3rd Wednesday of the month 9AM:
This slide presentation will discuss important grant-related topics pertaining to grant management. Each month we will discuss a different component, process, or emerging practice that can benefit potential and existing grantees. Future topics offerings include:

  • 7/17/24 Indirect Cost Rates: This training will introduce potential and current Grantees to the Indirect Cost Rate system, the different types of elections and requirements, and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders through the review process.
  • 8/21/24 Registering in SAM.gov: This training will explain the steps required to apply for a Unique Entity Identifier, how to complete your SAM.gov registration and steps for registration renewal.
  • 9/18/24 Completing a Budget Application: This training will introduce the budget application and instructions on how to best complete the budget for application submission.
  • 10/16/24 Reporting and Supporting Documentation: This training will explain the Periodic Performance Report and Periodic Financial Report, as well as appropriate supporting documents required for submission.
  • 11/20/24 Writing A Grant Application: This training will explain how to complete application documents, how to read a Notice of Funding Opportunity, and how to submit the application package for review.
  • 12/18/24 Audit Submissions: This training will introduce grantees to the different Audit types, requirements, and the importance of record retention.


 

For a complete list of current DCEO grant opportunities, upcoming grant trainings, video resource library and Grant Help Desk assistance, visit DCEO Grants (illinois.gov)


Grant opportunities include:

Film and TV Workforce Training Program Click here Deadline July 9, 2024

Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets and RISE Implementation Click here Deadline July 22, 2024

JTED Teacher Apprenticeship Program Click here Deadline July 31, 2024

CDBG Coronavirus Urban Shelter Program Click here Deadline July 31, 2024

Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program Click here Deadline August 1, 2024

Quality Jobs Program Click here Deadline December 31, 2024

JTED Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Click here Deadline December 31, 2024

SBIR/STTR Match Program Click here Deadline June 30, 2025

Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Click here Deadline rolling

Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs (CEJA) Click here Deadline rolling

Federal Grant Support Program Click here  No specific due date

CDBG Economic Development Program Click here Deadline rolling

Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Click here Deadline rolling

 

Other Federal and State Agency Grants & Programs

 

IDNR OSLAD Grant

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will accept applications for the next round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants between July 1 through September 13, closing at 5 p.m.


OSLAD is a matching program that provides an advance payment (for development projects only) of 50% of the grant award amount shortly after the grant agreement is executed. The local agency must demonstrate and possess the ability to finance the remaining cost of an approved project prior to receipt of remaining grant funds. The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas.


A total of $54 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. In addition, IDNR will once again will provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities. In the most recent round of OSLAD awards announced in January, 32 underserved locations received grants for local park projects. Go online for a list of communities that are considered economically distressed.


Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded more than $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois. The program is funded through a percentage of Illinois' Real Estate Transfer Tax.


The application period opens July 1, and applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. September 13, 2024. Prior to applying for a grant, entities must be registered and current in the state's Grant Accountability and Transparency Act grantee portal. All applications will be accepted online in the Amplifund portal.


Training webinar available for applicants

IDNR staff along with the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) will offer training to demonstrate how to complete an application in Amplifund. The webinar will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17.


• IAPD members will need to register through the IAPD website.

• Non-members can participate by going online and using the following passcode: 986269.

• Alternatively, participants can call in to the webinar at 309-205-3325 or 312-626-6799 with passcode 986269. The webinar ID is 880-7945-4324.


For more information about OSLAD grants, go online or call 217-782-7481.


IDNR Pheasant Fund and Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting grant applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds Grant Program and for the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant Program through August. 1.


The Pheasant Fund program enhances pheasant habitat through projects developed by nonprofit organizations and governmental entities. The Habitat Fund program enhances game and non-game wildlife habitat through projects developed by nonprofit organizations and governmental entities. Funding for both programs comes from the sale of Habitat Stamps to sportsmen and sportswomen.


Prior to applying for either grant, entities must be registered and current in the state’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Act grantee portal.


All applications will be accepted online in the Amplifund online portal:


Go online for more information about Pheasant Fund and Habitat Fund grants. Email susan.duke@illinois.gov at IDNR with any additional questions. Go online to search for all current state funding opportunities.

 

IDES Returning Citizens Virtual Job Fair

Illinois Department of Employment Security, New York University, and Illinois Department of Corrections would like to invite you to participate in a Virtual Job Fair highlighting your company and job opportunities to returning citizens to the Southern Illinois Area.


Re-Entry Virtual Job Fair

Date and time: Thursday, August 22nd 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Register: Registration is required. Please contact Freddie.L.Buckingham@illinois.gov to register.


Illinois businesses are hiring and they are looking for workers on Illinoisjoblink.com. The state’s hiring board features more than 100,000 help-wanted ads. Job seekers can build multiple resumes to emphasize different skills and experiences. Business owners can use keyword matching technology to search resumes and find the best candidate. Illinoisjoblink.com is free for workers and employers. It compares favorably to private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars. No-cost HR recruitment services are available at the website and at (877) 342-7533.


University of Illinois at Chicago Hybrid-Work Survey

Researchers at the UIC’s UTC need your help! Funded by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Urban Transportation Center (UTC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is conducting a research project to understand employer perspectives regarding hybrid-work. Under the guidance of Dr. Sriraj, (Director of UTC), the research team has developed a semi-structured interview and an online survey to gather insights from executives, human resources managers, and project leaders about their world view of hybrid-work and its impacts on a variety of topics such as:

work-related outcomes,

interpersonal and organizational functions, and

societal relations.


The findings are expected to cast a near-future vision of office work and resulting travel, and implications on land-use and multimodal urban transportation demand and supply. If you have a leading role in your organization or work in HR, we strongly encourage you to support and participate to the study. Here is how to participate:

  • Please follow the link to UTC’s survey to share your experience and thoughts, or
  • If you prefer sitting in a friendly interview, please sign-up to schedule your session (approximately 60 minutes).
  • Finally, UTC truly appreciates if you could share this message with your professional contacts who might be interested in participating or willing to help expanding their outreach.


Please email Cemal Ayvalik with UTC at cayvalik@uic.edu if you have any questions.

 

Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation Green Drives Conference and Expo

The Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation invites you to attend their annual Green Drives Conference and Expo on August 1 at the Morris Center on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.


Green Drives is one of the largest clean-transportation conferences in the Midwest, and a must-attend event for government officials, commercial and municipal fleet managers, corporate sustainability officers, and clean-tech and clean-energy professionals. You will learn from and network with national and regional experts on fleet-focused alternative fuels and electric vehicle best practices, solutions, resources, and technologies. This is an excellent opportunity to discover how to take advantage of various federal and state funding opportunities and tax incentives for clean vehicles and charging stations.


Registration

Fleet managers can attend Green Drives for free! This offer is exclusively available to commercial or government fleet managers, as well as other fleet operations decision makers such as directors, city managers, mayors, or county officials.


To secure your complimentary pass, send your request to info@il-act.org by July 12 at 5PM CT, including your name, title, organization, and contact information. Please note that only one free pass is available per organization, but additional tickets may be purchased. Early bird registration is available until July 12.

Visit our event page for more information and to register today, 2024 Green Drives Conference & Expo Edwardsville.

 

Federal Grant Application Bootcamp Registration is now Open

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided cities with unprecedented opportunities to apply directly for federal funding, but some cities and towns have fewer resources and staff, impeding their ability to bid effectively. Through the Local Infrastructure Hub, small and mid-sized municipalities can receive an expert suite of supports to develop strong, competitive grant applications through pro-bono technical training and grant-writing Bootcamps.


Over the past five Bootcamp series, the Local Infrastructure Hub has supported over 700 cities with 150,000 residents or fewer navigate the federal grant writing process, and is working with more than 1,200 localities overall across all of its program offerings, including virtual webinars and learning opportunities available for cities of any size.


Current bootcamps include: Bridge Investment Program; Brownfields Program; Railroad Crossing Elimination / Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements; Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods; The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Program; and Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program Application Bootcamp - Local Infrastructure Hub. Registration is required and bootcamps are offered on a first-come basis.

 

IEPA Energy Efficiency Projects Grant

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director John J. Kim announced the Residential Energy Efficiency Trust Fund Grant Program – previously known as the Low-Income Residential Energy Efficiency Program or LIREE - with up to $5,000,000 in funding available for energy efficiency upgrades at single family or duplex residential properties. The Energy Efficiency Trust Fund Grant Program will benefit residents receiving housing assistance from a state or federal housing assistance program and located in areas of environmental justice concern. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the Agency’s website.


Eligible applicants include public housing authorities, units of local government (municipalities, counties, or townships), or nonprofit organizations. Examples of eligible projects include window replacement, heating and cooling equipment retrofits, and lighting upgrades. Total project costs may range from $25,000 - $500,000 with a match requirement subject to total funding request.


Applications for the Energy Efficiency Trust Fund Grant Program NOFO will be accepted on a rolling basis and eligible properties will receive funding on a first come, first serve basis. For eligibility and application information, visit: https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/energy/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-trust-fund-grant.html.


Before applying to the grant program, applicants must be pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://gata.illinois.gov/.


Helpful Resources

 

Grant Help Desk Resources

DCEO Office of Accountability

Email Us:

ceo.granthelp@illinois.gov

Or use our Inquiry Form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/df9d38efa4e241218ced486c54f3c109

Visit Our Website:

https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities.html

Browse our Learning Libraries, Quick Reference Guides, and Instructional Videos

 

Grant Accountability and Transparency (GATA)


Audit Report Review Process Manual: https://gata.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/gata/documents/audit/audit-manual-august-2018-revision.pdf

 

DCEO Website – https://dceo.illinois.gov

The Illinois DCEO website includes a page dedicated to current state and federal grant opportunities as well as Grantee resources. Click here to find valuable information!

 

Join DCEO’s Team

DCEO’s Team is expanding around the state.  To apply for these jobs, please go to the Work4Illinois website at  https://illinois.jobs2web.com/ and use the search function to find the positions for our department.

Postings closing 7/15/24

Program Accounting Manager & GAAP Reporting Supervisor (PSA, OPT 8C) – Office of Financial Management – Sangamon County

Accounting and Fiscal Career Trainee– Office of Financial management – Sangamon County

Accountant– Office of Financial management – Sangamon County


Following DCEO & Connecting with Team RED

If you have upcoming meetings or events and would like DCEO to participate, please reach out to us. Follow us on our social media channels for real time updates.
Facebook: @illinoisdceo
LinkedIn: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

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