Quigley Unveils 15 Community Projects Submitted for Funding Consideration
Quigley requests over $22 million for local district projects
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development announced his support for 15 community projects he has submitted for funding consideration in appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. The 15 community projects were selected from nearly 50 applications and marks just the third time members have been able to submit specific community projects for direct funding since 2011. Quigley selected the 15 projects based on strict Committee requirements and using his first-hand knowledge of the issues facing the Fifth District.
“As the lines of Illinois’ 5th district have evolved, so have its needs. I am thrilled to present 15 new projects for funding consideration that will work in unison to make our community a safer, better place to live, go to school, go to work, and raise a family,” said Quigley. “From creating a new bike path in Arlington Heights and enhancing the sewer lining in Des Plaines, to renovating Pulaski and Sheil Parks in Chicago, every project will have a measurable impact across the fifth district. Now that the selection is complete—the real work begins. Over the coming month, I plan to fight hard in Congress to see these projects funded, passed, and signed into law.”
Additional information on Community Project Funding and the 15 projects selected by Quigley, as well as copies of required financial disclosures, are available HERE.
A summary of the 15 projects, in alphabetical order, and quotes from the sponsoring organizations is provided below:
Arlington Heights Bike Path
- This project will allow the Village of Arlington Heights to provide a safe, desirable, and accessible path connecting the Palatine Trail with the Prospect Heights Trail for people to walk, bike, and ride on. This connectivity between the northwest suburbs will allow people to easily access destinations in Arlington Heights without the use of cars, providing people with vital physical activity and reducing their carbon footprint.
- Requested Amount: $480,000
“We are excited to have learned we are one step closer to linking several communities together while enhancing our non-vehicle infrastructure through our proposed ComEd multi-use shared path. The Village has made it a strategic priority to make the community more livable through increasing pedestrian and bicycle options for our residents,” said Mayor Tom Hayes.
Chicago Park District, Pulaski Park Renovation
- This project will allow the Chicago Park District to renovate the historic fieldhouse and other park facilities in Pulaski Park. With the facilities offering over 80 programs and serving 2,000 patrons, restoration ensures that the buildings remain safe and energy efficient for community use.
- Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Chicago Park District, Sheil Park Restoration
- This project will allow the Chicago Park District to repair the fieldhouse in Sheil Park, including a new roof, masonry, and lintels. Restoration of this facility improves the safety and accessibility of the facility, which offers over 300 programs and serves close to 5,500 patrons.
- Requested Amount: $1,000,000
“We are extremely grateful to Congressman Quigley for recognizing the importance of park investment and advancing projects at Sheil Park and Pulaski Park for Community Project Funding consideration,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. “The District’s capital needs far outweigh our limited annual appropriations. The support of our elected officials and other partners goes a long way in funding vital projects and, more importantly, allows us to invest in neighboring children and families who rely on programs and events at both parks for quality and affordable recreational opportunities.”
Chicago Police Department Pilot of Reconfiguration of Squad Car Technology
- This project will pilot the use of a new configuration for squad car radios, computer screens, and keyboards to create a more ergonomic experience for officers. Reconfiguring the technology will help officers put less stress on their back and improve visibility, making it easier to complete reports in the field rather than return to the station.
- Requested Amount: $500,000
"We thank Congressman Quigley for his commitment to public safety and to our officers," said CPD Interim Superintendent Eric M. Carter. "This funding will help us improve the technology set up in our squad cars, making it easier and safer for officers as they respond to calls for service."
Chicago Public Schools, Disney II Field Renovation
- This project will allow Chicago Public Schools to construct an artificial turf field at Disney II Magnet Elementary School. With much of the area surrounded by impermeable asphalt, this field will benefit the surrounding community by reducing flooding through an elaborate system under the field which will retain and store stormwater runoff.
- Requested Amount: $1,100,000
"Our students benefit when we invest in their education, including in the buildings and facilities that provide them with the space to learn, grow, and thrive," said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. "The District extends our wholehearted appreciation to Congressman Quigley and his colleagues for their support of the Disney II Field renovation and the countless students who will benefit from this project."
Cook County Busse Road Rebuild
- This project will allow Cook County to redesign and rebuild Busse Road from Gold Road to Central Road, enhancing safety and providing vital accommodations for bicyclists, pedestrians, and those with disabilities. The project will reconstruct the road, including a shared use path and upgraded drainage, while adding additional safety features such as crosswalks, curb ramps, and streetlights.
- Requested Amount: $1,500,000
“Investing in infrastructure that improves safety and mobility for County residents is essential,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This critical project will enhance pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, upgrade the roadway to meet today’s design standards and provide flood relief for the surrounding area.”
Corboy Law Center Air System Upgrade
- This project will allow Loyola University to replace outdated air handlers and components with new, high energy efficient equipment. The existing system is in need of an update as the current equipment is old, failing, and difficult to maintain. Replacement of this system with an energy-efficient alternative and updated air filters will reduce electricity consumption and improve the indoor air quality for students, faculty, staff and, visitors.
- Requested Amount: $800,000
“We are very grateful to Congressman Quigley for agreeing to champion Loyola’s project request. Replacing the original 29-year air handlers and associated components with new, high efficiency equipment will produce significant energy savings, reducing consumption by approximately 900,000 kWh per year. Additionally, the new system will greatly improve air quality, a great benefit not only for Loyola students, faculty and staff, but for the many members of the public who attend the numerous conferences, town hall gatherings and other meetings at the Corboy Law Center,” said President of Loyola University Chicago Mark C. Reed.
Des Plaines Sewer Lining Project
- This project will help extend the life of a 70+ year old sewer system and prevent the additional inflow going into the MWRD combined sewer system to help alleviate flooding within the system.
- Requested Amount: $1,000,000
“We are grateful for Congressman Quigley’s support of our Sewer Lining Program. The funding for this project will allow the City of Des Plaines to insert a lining in decades old sanitary sewers to stop inflow into our combined sewer system to help alleviate flooding within the system. Lining these sewers is a cost-effective way of extending their service life for another 100 years,” said Mayor of Des Plaines Andrew Goczkowski.
Ela Township Emergency Operating Center
- This project will allow Ela Township to purchase a generator for its community center, which will then allow the center to serve as an Emergency Operating Center (EOC) for the community. The township currently does not have an EOC for the public to gather during emergencies.
- Requested Amount: $150,000
“We are so thankful to Congressman Quigley for selecting our project for the FY 24 Community Funding Project Program. The proposed generator at the Ela Township Community Center will turn the center into an emergency operating center during times of need,” said Ela Township Supervisor Gloria Palmblad.
Flint Creek Restoration Project
- This project would fund a feasibility study by the Army Corps of Engineers to restore the Flint Creek watershed after its illegal damming in the 1960s. The unpermitted dam has had an adverse impact on the water quality, degraded in-stream habitat, and blocked natural fish passage.
- Requested Amount: $100,000
“We are very grateful to Congressman Quigley for his leadership and support on this important project,” said Lake Barrington Village President Kevin Richardson. “This funding will support a much needed study to examine the important ecological issues that are related to Flint Lake and Flint Creek so that the integrity of the larger regional watershed can be preserved.”
Irving Park YMCA Accessibility Infrastructure
- This project will allow the Irving Park YMCA to increase accessibility to 213 of their affordable housing units with the addition of a parking lot ramp, a separate entrance for housing residents, and an elevator to access the upper levels. The current building layout limits access to people using wheelchairs, or with other mobility issues, and requires updates to increase the YMCA’s ability to serve those at risk of homelessness.
- Requested Amount: $1,750,000
“Rep. Quigley's support will empower the Irving Park YMCA to provide enhanced service to Chicago's housing-insecure residents and individuals struggling with limited mobility due to advanced age, reliance on wheelchairs, or for other reasons. As one of our legacy facilities, the Irving Park Y’s capacity will be increased by the proposed elevator, improving the quality of life of the individuals living in our Single Room Occupancy housing. Because this vulnerable population often has limited affordable options to meet their housing needs, it’s critical that such infrastructure investments are made to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of those who rely on the Y for housing,” said the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Metra Edgebrook Station Renovation
- This project will allow Metra to increase the comfort, efficiency, and accessibility of the Edgebrook Station along the Milwaukee District North (MD-N) Line. Renovations will include a climate-controlled shelter for outbound commuters and multiple digital displays showing train arrivals and safety messages accompanied by audio announcements for the vision- and hearing-impaired.
- Requested Amount: $1,200,000
“The Edgebrook Station proposal is a great example about how small improvements would go a long way towards making our stations more welcoming and functional,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “By adding digital signage throughout the station and a larger shelter on the outbound side, we would be telling our riders, including the many reverse commuters on this line, that we value them and that we want them to have a pleasant experience in our system. We thank Congressman Quigley for backing our proposal.”
Metra O’Hare Pedestrian Pathway Design
- This project will allow Metra’s Commuter Rail Division to launch a concept study to generate designs for a new pedestrian pathway linking the Metra’s O’Hare Transfer station with the O’Hare Airport Transit System. A new pathway will offer an alternative to driving between downtown Chicago and O’Hare Airport, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and relieving traffic congestion.
- Requested Amount: $750,000
“We are grateful to Congressmen Quigley for supporting this important project,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “This work will investigate and outline significant steps toward making our O’Hare Transfer Station a more comfortable and more useful station for our customers, including our customers with disabilities, and toward making our North Central Service Line an even better alternative for getting to and from the airport.”
Mount Prospect Pedestrian Bridge
- This project will allow the Village of Mount Prospect to construct a pedestrian and bicyclist bridge over Northwest Highway and the Union Pacific Railroad, connecting Melas Park and Meadows Park. The bridge will also link the existing bike routes in Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights. This project would remove a major barrier to the regional Northwest Bikeway, which connects Palatine to Park Ridge, providing residents with a safe way to cross the highway and railroad.
- Requested Amount: $517,400
“The Village of Mount Prospect is grateful for Congressman Quigley’s support for our Melas-Meadows Pedestrian Bridge/Northwest Highway Bikeway Project. This project will help improve safe, non-vehicular transportation options (walking, jogging, cycling, etc.) for all of the northwest suburbs. Once constructed, it will be a vital link connecting numerous communities from the City of Chicago to Crystal Lake. It will also facilitate access to several regional attractions from the Des Plaines River Trail to the new Chicago Bears stadium down the street. The Village of Mount Prospect is very excited to see the support this project has garnered from numerous stakeholders including park districts, school districts, the Northwest Municipal Conference, and, of course, Congressman Quigley,” said Village of Mount Prospect Manager Michael J. Cassady.
MWRD Farmers-Prairie Creek Project
- This project will alleviate flooding through channel improvements and streambank stabilization along Farmers and Prairie Creeks. It will also repair and replace culverts, enlarge stormwater ponds, and add pump stations near ponds. These drainage improvements will also protect access to a regional hospital with a Level-1 Trauma Center.
- Requested Amount: $9,000,000
“The flood control project for the Farmers and Prairie Creek Watershed will provide flood storage and improve creek conveyance to protect residents of Park Ridge and Maine Township from overbank flooding,” said Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) President Kari K. Steele. “We appreciate U.S. Rep. Quigley’s leadership, support, and resolve to help us appropriate the critical resources to mitigate flooding, address stormwater and sewer construction and stabilize our streambanks and waterways. This comprehensive flood control project has the potential to reduce flooding for over 100 structures, alleviate public health concerns, and improve quality of life.”