Quigley-Sponsored Community Projects Totaling $15.3 Million Pass House Appropriations Committee

July 5, 2022

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chair of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, announced that the Appropriations Committee has approved all fifteen of the Chicago-area community projects that he submitted for funding consideration.

"As the representative for Illinois' 5^th district, I know what makes our community so special and I have seen first-hand what we need to make it an even safer, more prosperous place to live. I was proud to champion fifteen community projects for funding this year to do just that," said Quigley. "Funding for these projects will meet a variety of unique needs in our community and positively impact every single one of us. From modernizing the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center and extending the 606 trail to providing law enforcement with better equipment and supporting the National Runaway Safeline Teen Suicide Prevention Line in Chicago, each project will make a measurable difference for our community. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the House passes this legislation and President Biden signs it into law."

Earlier this year, Quigley submitted fifteen projects for the Appropriations Committee's Community Project Funding. The approval of Quigley's fifteen Community Project Funding submissions is an important step in securing nearly $15.3 million in funding for local projects across all fifteen funding requests. Last year, Quigley secured more than $10 million for local community projects in support of LGBTQ equality, health care, public safety and more as part of the same Appropriations Committee process.

Additional information on Community Project Funding and the fifteen projects selected by Quigley is available HERE. A summary of the projects that have been approved by the Appropriations Committee is available below:

AIDS Foundation Chicago Preparing the HIV System for the Needs of the Aging Population Program

This project will allow AIDS Foundation to provide a training curriculum intended to help providers as part of this collaboration be better equipped to serve their clients as the population living with HIV continues to grow older. The goal is to develop different tiers of training to be able to cater to entry-level providers as well as seasoned senior services case managers.

Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center Building Improvements and Enhancements

This project will allow Black Ensemble Theater to conduct repairs and upkeep in several areas including electrical, plumbing, lighting, sound, theater seating, stage repairs and major work on the facade of the building. The purpose of this project is to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center as a beautiful national treasure to the City of Chicago while maintaining its position as a major cultural arts institution.

Carole Robertson Center for Learning Capital Improvements

This project will allow the Carole Robertson Center to provide a safe, welcoming, and stable environment for our young people and workforce through capital improvements to their facility. The building needs serious infrastructure investments to ensure it can continue to function as a safe and effective learning environment for the nearly 300 children and youth served there.

Chicago Park District California Park Multi-use Trail Connection

This project will allow the Park District to redesign and build a new trail system and reconstruct the riverbank to stabilize the riverbank and expand access to the park. The Park District recently removed an invasive species and restored riverbank in the new California Park expansion adjacent to the new 312 River Run trail.

Chicago Park District Lincoln Park Conservatory Renovations

This project will allow Chicago Park District to renovate and upgrade the historic conservatory in Lincoln Park. The renovations would include structural upgrades and glass replacement, entry and restroom upgrades, improved air circulation, accessibility upgrades, new multipurpose education and event spaces, and enhancements to propagation houses.

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Get Behind the Vest Program

This project will allow Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to provide 1,000 new ballistic vests and 1,000 vest covers to Chicago Police Officers whose vests' 5-year warranty have expired. A record number of officers were shot on the job last year. Ballistic vests have saved the lives of 47 Chicago Police Officers since 1980.

Chicago Public Schools Art Supplies and Equipment

This project will allow Chicago Public Schools to supplement arts budgets within school communities of need. New arts supplies and equipment would provide greater access to arts enrichment.

City of Northlake Sanitary Sewer Lining

The funding for this project will allow the City of Northlake to insert a lining in existing 70-year-old clay tile sanitary sewers to stop water infiltration and outflow of effluent. Lining these sewers is a cost-effective way of extending their service life for another 100 years while sealing of the separations which allows inflow/outflow migration.

County DOT 606 Expansion

This project will allow Cook Country DOT to extend the 606 Trail from Ashland Ave to Elston Ave to provide a safe connection between the east and west sides of the Kennedy Expressway and UP Railroad tracks. This project also implements the next phase of the 606 reflected in the North Branch Framework Plan and the Bloomingdale Trail and Park Framework Plan.

Field Museum Air System Upgrade

This project will allow Field Museum to replace the museum's nearly 50-year-old air handling system, to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and utility bill, and to improve indoor air quality for Museum staff and visitors.

Howard Brown Health Halsted Street Dental Clinic

This project will allow Howard Brown Health to provide clinical equipment, furniture, fixtures, technology solutions, and safety systems to expand Halsted's capacity for providing care. This flagship clinic will drastically increase Howard Brown's capacity to provide high-quality affirming medical, behavioral, and dental care regardless of patients' ability to pay.

Lake View YMCA Aquatics Expansion

This project will allow Lake View YMCA to convert two underutilized racquetball courts adjacent to an existing pool to create a second pool, enhancing opportunities for lessons, water exercise classes, swim team practice, and lap and open swim for residents of Lake View and surrounding communities. The Lake View YMCA seeks to meet the growing demand for its aquatics programming and increase access to its life-saving swimming and water safety lessons by expanding its pool facilities.

Museum of Science and Industry Educational Program Support

This project will allow the Museum of Science and Industry to further develop the educational programs and resources it provides to K-12 students, their educators, and their families across the Chicagoland region. This work focuses on supporting high-quality STEM learning and engagement, with a priority on financially under-resourced neighborhoods and populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.

National Runaway Safeline Teen Suicide Prevention Line

This project will allow National Runaway Safeline to support youth ages 12-18 throughout the Chicago area through the National Runaway Safeline's 24/7/365 Crisis Services Center via a dedicated hotline and live texting service. The TSPL will offer crisis services and support and access to a live person, with the goal of linking youth to long-term support, services and resources needed to ensure their safety, mental health, and well-being.

Shedd Aquarium Pathways to Environmental Education

This project will allow Shedd Aquarium to advance equitable STEAM learning opportunities for students across the Chicago area by advancing physical, digital, and financial access to learning experiences for 90,000 K-8th grade students. Shedd learning programs intentionally bridge science education with outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship experiences to help youth navigate the process of accessing and appreciating the natural world, leading to greater awareness of their relationship with nature and the impact of their actions on animals and their habitats.

The approval of this funding by the Appropriations Committee is just one step in the funding process. Quigley will continue to fight for this funding as the bills move to consideration on the House Floor and in negotiations with the Senate.

Issues: Appropriations