Quigley Secures Nearly $18 Million for 15 Local Projects in FY26 Community Project Funding

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced that he secured $17,816,80 for his constituents and the greater city of Chicago through Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Quigley successfully advocated for all 15 of his funding requests to be included in the final government funding legislation, which has now been signed into law. The approved projects include four projects previously announced in January.

“During this year's Appropriations process, I was proud to secure nearly $18 million in funding for Chicagoland. These critical funds will support and expand essential services in our community, from transportation and urban development to safety and public health,” said Quigley. “We have an amazing community that needs the support of our federal government to make improvements and repairs. I’m proud to support local works that would otherwise be overlooked by Congress. These projects will modernize and renovate equipment for our city’s fire department, CTA stations, outdoor spaces, and more.”

Previously called earmarks, Community Project Funding allows lawmakers to set aside funds in federal appropriations bills to address specific needs in their districts. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Quigley helps craft these bills and advocates for funding for infrastructure and social services at home. Since 2021, Congressman Quigley has secured roughly $58 million dollars in Community Project Funding for Chicagoland. 

As a senior member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Quigley secured over $5 million to update roads, CTA stations, and an underpass on Oak Street Beach:

• “We extend our sincere gratitude to Congressman Quigley for his continued support of regional public transit and for securing this vital funding,” said Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen. “These funds will allow us to fast-track essential upgrades at two stations, ensuring a safe and welcoming travel environment for those who account for the 2.7 million rides taken at both locations last year.”
   
• “This funding allows us to significantly upgrade and enhance a heavily used connection between two of Chicago’s greatest assets, the lakefront and The Magnificent Mile. Enhancing the Oak Street Beach Underpass will create a safer, more welcoming, and more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors while supporting the vitality of the surrounding area. We applaud Congressman Mike Quigley’s leadership and continued support in helping make this important investment possible. bringing these critical infrastructure funds to Chicago,” said Kimberly Bares, President and CEO, The Magnificent Mile Association.
   
• “The City of Des Plaines is thrilled to be awarded Community Project Funding for the Algonquin Grade Separation Project. The City of Des Plaines has 32 railroad crossings, which is among the highest for a municipality in the United States. There is a vast need to provide an unimpeded through route from the east side to the west side of the City. Algonquin Road is centrally located in the City and fulfills this need.  With this investment, we move closer to completing a project that will reduce emergency response times, alleviate traffic delays, mitigate congestion, while improving air quality and overall public safety,” said Thomas Semanic, Management Analyst, City of Des Plaines.
   

Quigley also secured over $1.3 million to fight hunger and homelessness in Chicagoland:

• “The Department of Housing thanks Congressman Quigley for providing $850,000 in funding for Belray Apartments,” said Lissette Castañeda, Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner. “This investment will support the rehabilitation of the existing Belray building as well as the attached new construction, ensuring ongoing delivery and enhancement of permanent supportive housing opportunities for adults experiencing homelessness. Sustained federal support like this helps ensure long-term housing stability, along with critical community resources for all Chicagoans.”

   

• “The Palatine Township Haven Project represents a transformative investment in our community, strengthening our Township Center while expanding access to critical services for all 115,000 residents, especially those most in need. We are grateful to Congressman Mike Quigley for his support in advancing this important initiative. Through the collaboration of partners across all levels of government, along with the generosity of our donors and volunteers, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring every resident has access to the services, dignity, and support they deserve,” said Andy-John G. Kalkounos, Palatine Township Supervisor.
   

The Congressman also procured over $6 million to improve public safety and health in the community, including new equipment for the Chicago Fire Department, new bulletproof vests for police officers, new parts for a local wastewater plant, and replacements of lead pipes in Arlington Heights’ water lines:

• “A serviceable ballistic vest can mean the difference between an officer going home at the end of a shift or a family facing a lifetime of loss,” said Arthur Hannus, Executive Director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. “Chicago police officers are required to replace expired ballistic vests at their own expense, despite the dangers they face every day.  That reality is why the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to provide life-saving replacement vests. Since the program’s launch, we have replaced nearly 15,000 vests for Chicago officers. We are profoundly grateful to Congressman Quigley for recognizing this critical need and standing with us in the essential work of protecting those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.”
   
• “The Village of Arlington Heights is excited for the opportunity to work with Congressman Quigley on funding the safe removal and replacement of roughly 3,500 lead service water lines within our community. Due to the Village's age, there are an extraordinary number of residential lead water service lines. The lead service lines are generally located in the middle of the community in older homes, often affecting our elderly population at a higher rate,” said Cris Papierniak, Director of Public Works and Engineering for the Village of Arlington Heights. “The Village has been trying to aggressively remove lead service lines since 2021, but has been saddled with the estimated $44 million dollar cost upon project completion. The funding provided by Congressman Quigley will make a significant impact on the program, and we look forward to potential future funding opportunities.”
   
• “This federal investment is an important contribution toward much-needed upgrades at our wastewater treatment facility,” said Barrington Village President Mike Moran. “Thanks to the initiative and dedication of our staff, the Village was able to secure funding that helps advance this project, protects public health and preserves our local water resources. We are grateful for Congressman Quigley’s support and remain focused on delivering long-term value to our community.”
   
• “Village staff worked diligently to identify and secure this highly competitive federal funding,” said Village Manager Scott Anderson. “While this grant represents a portion of the overall project cost, it helps offset expenses that would otherwise fall to our residents and allows us to move forward responsibly with critical infrastructure improvements. It reflects our commitment to long-term planning, fiscal stewardship and environmental protection.”

This year’s approved CPF requests also included nearly $4 million for outdoor sports and recreation, including local renovations for a field house, a biking trail, and a rowing lagoon. One project will give funds to Chicago Public Schools, so they can build an artificial turf field for elementary school students:

• “The North Branch Trail Alliance (NBTA) of Greater Chicago is so thrilled to hear about the expansion of the trail network to include the funding for the Weber Spur Trail for the Chicago Department of Transportation, thanks to the efforts of Congressman Mike Quigley. There have been so many advocates within the city, county, state, and federal government, but special thanks to the community, including local partners at the North River Commission and the North Mayfair Improvement Association that advocated to make this happen. By taking one more step forward in the process, the Chicago Department of Transportation will build a more robust trail network in the State of Illinois,” said Jim O’Reilly, North Branch Trail Alliance (NBTA) of Greater Chicago.

• “I’d like to extend my appreciation to Congressman Mike Quigley for advocating for our parks and securing funds for restoration of the Horner Park Field House, the pedestrian underpass in Lincoln Park at Oak Street and the historic Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon,” said General Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Originally built in 1956, upgrades to the Horner Park field house will ensure the Park District can continue to offer robust and engaging programming for years to come. The restoration of the underpass at Oak Street will improve access, usability, and safety of the critical lakefront connection, and restoration to the rowing lagoon, listed on the National Register of Historic places, will ensure the public can continue to safely recreate in and around the lagoon and the 1938 boat house. We are grateful to the Congressman for his commitment to improving the lives of Chicago residents by investing in our beloved neighborhood parks.” 

   

• “The parents and staff of Onahan have been diligently working to upgrade the current field at Onahan Elementary as it is the only open green space in the area. A new field will have a tremendous impact on not only the students, but the entire community. We are grateful to Rep. Quigley for his support of this project. It demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a common cause,” said the Onahan Elementary School Council.

Congressman Quigley also acquired nearly $1.1 million to improve flooding mitigation in Graceland West. These funds will construct green alleys with permeable pavement, increasing water infiltration and decreasing the amount diverted towards the sewers:

• “Non-permeable concrete and non-absorptive grass/sod/turf coupled with intensified precipitation and snowmelt contribute immensely to urban flooding. To help with our urban flooding and provide pollinator and beneficial insect habitat, GWCA has installed 17 GWCA Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Sites.  Each is at least 100 sq. ft., absorbs over 2,000 gallons of stormwater annually and returns excess to the aquifer, not a sewer.  50 member-neighbors are working on our green initiatives.  Green alleys, green roofs, and bioswales specifically designed to return stormwater to the aquifer were recommended in addition to these efforts. We are immensely thankful to Congressman Quigley and his knowledgeable staff for their needs analysis, coordination, follow up, and for securing funding for green alleys needed in our Graceland West neighborhood,” said the Graceland West Community Association.

Below is a list of the 15 FY26 projects that Quigley secured funding for. To learn more about Community Project Funding and project details, go to quigley.house.gov/community-project-funding. 

• Algonquin Road Grade Separation - $1,800,000
• Belray Apartments, Chicago Department of Housing - $850,000
• Brown Line Rockwell Station Modernization Project - $1,200,000
• Chicago Fire Department Equipment - $2,959,000
• Get Behind the Vest - $1,031,000
• Graceland West Green Alleys - $1,092,000
• Haven Project - $500,000
• Horner Park Field House - $2,000,000
• Lead Line Service Line Replacement Project - $1,092,000
• Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon - $250,000
• Oak Street Underpass Improvements - $2,000,000
• Red Line Belmont Station Improvement Project - $500,000
• Sustainable Updates to CPS Outdoor Spaces - $850,000
• Village of Barrington Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade - $1,092,000
• Weber Spur Trail - $850,000