Quigley Unveils 15 Community Projects Submitted for Funding Consideration

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 for the upcoming fiscal year. The 15 community projects were selected from nearly 70 applications and marks the fourth time members have been able to submit specific community projects for direct funding since 2021. Quigley selected the 15 projects based on strict Committee requirements and using his first-hand knowledge of the issues facing the Fifth District.

"No one knows their community's needs better than the member who represents it. Those needs are constantly evolving and often need extra help to successfully cross the finish line. That is why I have been proud to secure over $40 million in funding so far to support local projects across our district,” said Quigley. “This year, I am honored to put forward another 15 projects for funding consideration – projects that will have a practical and positive impact on communities in Illinois’ fifth. From helping protect police to building affordable housing units and replacing dangerous lead service lines, I know these projects will not only change lives, but will also save lives.”

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 are provided below:

1. Algonquin Road Grade Separation

• Funding for Phase II Engineering for the project is being requested. These services include the final design and preparation of project plans/specifications needed for the project. The estimated duration for Phase II Engineering is 3-4 years. As with most larger infrastructure projects, Phase II Engineering is a required step before the construction phase can start.
• Requested Amount: $1,800,000
• “On behalf of our community, I extend my deepest gratitude to Congressman Quigley for the support of our Algonquin Road Grade Separation project. This initiative to build an overpass at a busy railroad crossing in Des Plaines will significantly impact both our community and the broader region, reducing emergency response times, alleviating traffic congestion, and enhancing overall transportation efficiency. The grade separation promises to create a more seamless and reliable transportation network, marking a significant step forward for our infrastructure,” said Andrew Goczkowski, City of Des Plaines Mayor.

2. Belray Apartments, Chicago Department of Housing

• Belray Apartments is an 86-unit affordable housing project along Racine Ave in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood. Requested funding would go toward renovation of the existing 70-unit building and adding 16 more apartments in a separate, newly constructed building
• Requested Amount: $4,930,694
• "We are proud to support projects like Belray Apartments, which are critical for fostering equity and stability in Chicago," said Lissette Castañeda, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing. "By renovating and expanding the existing development, Belray not only preserves existing affordable housing units, but also increases the capacity to support individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. This aligns with the City's commitment to equitable development and inclusive growth, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to quality housing and essential services."

3. Brown Line Rockwell Station Modernization Project

• CTA’s Brown Line Rockwell Station Modernization Project focuses on platform replacement, new station signage and digital arrival and departure signs.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000
• “I want to thank Congressman Quigley for prioritizing the Rockwell Brown Line Station in this year’s Community Project Funding requests,” said Dorval R. Carter Jr., CTA President. “Every bit of funding is needed as we look to be good stewards of our transit system, which is more than a century old in many places, and has a current backlog of more than $13 billion in State of Good Repair needs.”

4. Chicago Airplane Noise Mitigation Project

• Provide aircraft noise mitigation to homes surrounding the Chicago O'Hare International Airport ("O'Hare") by installing sound insulation treatments, such as acoustical windows, doors, and central air-conditioning as part of the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Residential Sound Insulation Program.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000

5. Chicago Fire Department Equipment

• Chicago has a critical need of fire Engines and Trucks. Front-line Fire Trucks and Engines in proper working order with the latest technologies will provide necessary life-saving measures to the communities that they serve and in which they are urgently needed. To alleviate the needs; CFD is requesting One (1) 2026 Fire Engine that must respond for all fires and unknown emergencies.
• Requested Amount: $2,959,800
• “Congressman Quigley has demonstrated his commitment to the dedicated men and women who serve the Chicago Fire Department through his efforts to provide funding for new fire engines and breathing harnesses.  This equipment is critical to saving the lives of our firefighters, the lives of the community members we serve, and assisting in fire suppression measures,” said Annette Nance-Holt, Commissioner Chicago Fire Department

6. Church St. Connecting Communities and People Project

• This project would help facilitate safe pedestrian walkways by connecting the residents of unincorporated Maine Township to Village of Niles to the East and to the City of Park Ridge and City of Des Plaines to the West. Additionally it would allow us to improve drainage along the new sidewalk by regrading the areas.
• Requested Amount: $475,000
• “Funding for this project would not only provide a safe passage for pedestrians, but it would also aid in bridging our neighboring communities together through the unincorporated Maine Township,” said Ed Beauvais, Maine Township Highway Commissioner. “This project shows how working collaboratively with local, state, and federal officials can bring about the positive change needed to make our communities better than before!”

7. Get Behind the Vest

• A record number of officers were shot on the job last year. Ballistic vests have saved the lives of 48 Chicago Police Officers since 1980.  However, Ballistic vests have a shelf life, with expiration approximately 5 years after production. At that time the vest is no longer under warranty and the protection it is supposed to provide cannot be guaranteed. Through this project, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation purchases Chicago Police Officers new ballistic vests to replace their expired vests, along with replacement vest covers to ensure proper fit for field duties.
• Requested Amount: $1,097,000
• "Viable ballistic vests save lives and free families from a lifetime of suffering, which is why the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation continues its mission to provide replacement ballistic vests to Chicago Police Officers." said Phil Cline, Executive Director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. "Chicago's officers are required to replace their ballistic vest at their own expense upon its expiration. Since the program was launched, the Foundation has replaced more than 13,000 vests.  We are incredibly grateful for Congressmen Quigley's efforts to secure federal funding for this initiative, and for his partnership in the very important work of protecting those who protect us." 

8. Graceland West Green Alleys

• The purpose of this project is to improve storm water management, reduce flooding, and recapture storm water by constructing green alleys with permeable pavement along Greenview Avenue. The estimated cost for a green alley with permeable pavement is $500,000 per 660’ block. This cost estimate includes both design and construction. The project is expected to increase surface infiltration and decrease the amount of water diverted to the sewer system. This will help recapture storm water and improve management during rain events.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000
• “For years, the Graceland West neighborhood has contended with severe flooding events, with standing water by Lake View High School regularly reaching 5 feet in depth. The permeable, or "green", alleys will help alleviate the problem by allowing the water to collect and make its way to the sewers before it impacts the neighborhood's lowest points. I'm grateful to Congressman Quigley for his continued attention to this problem and for supporting these critical improvements,” said Matt Martin, Alderman of the 47^th Ward.

9. Haven Project

• This request is for land or site acquisition, demolition and revitalization of our Palatine Township public facilities; the Township Center and the Food Pantry. The Palatine Township Food Pantry requires expansion, modernization and improvements to address the intensifying need experienced in our area by our vulnerable and impoverished populations, including compliance with ADA requirements, compliance with state and federal safety guidelines and other necessary updates in order to meet the needs of our residents.
• Requested Amount:  $2,330,000
• “Our Township is currently located 6 miles from the most vulnerable population. Congressman Quigley’s assistance and strong regional relationships from a cross section of local, Municipal, County and State Governments will allow Palatine Township to be more effective with services to all residents,” said Andy-John G. Kalkounos, Palatine Township Supervisor.

10. Horner Park Field House

• This project will go towards a major renovation of the field house including building a new roof and making improvements to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000
• “On behalf of the Park District and the communities we serve, I’d like to extend my sincerest appreciation to Congressman Mike Quigley for his efforts to secure funding to restore the historic Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon and major renovations to the Horner Park fieldhouse,” said General Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. “The completion of these projects will preserve these important park assets and ensure they continue to serve their communities and the city for years to come.” 

11. Lead Service Line Replacement Project

• Illinois law requires replacement of all lead water service lines within the Village of Arlington Heights. However, current estimates put the total cost of the mandate far outside the village’s budget. Additionally, as the mandates become more stringent, contractors will be forced to escalate pricing to manage demands. This project will help shoulder the burden of the cost and enable the village to effectively remove the risk of lead exposure from lead water service lines.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000
• “New State and Federal Lead Service Line Replacement mandates will put a significant financial burden on The Village of Arlington Heights.  It is estimated that the new Mandate will require the Village to reallocate approximately $52 million in the next 13 years, based on today’s costs. The financial impact of this mandated timeline has the sincere potential to disrupt vital infrastructure projects that support our more than 77,000 residents, and successful business and development districts. Funding from Congressman’s Quigley’s 15 Community Funding Projects for FY25 will be paramount in helping to keep the Village of Arlington Heights on track with Capital Improvement Projects and will have a lasting impact for decades to come,“ said Thomas Hayes, Mayor of Arlington Heights.

12. Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon

• This project will restore the historic Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon by rebuilding the deteriorating embankment, improving user access and implementing natural features as appropriate.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000
• “On behalf of the Park District and the communities we serve, I’d like to extend my sincerest appreciation to Congressman Mike Quigley for his efforts to secure funding to restore the historic Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon and major renovations to the Horner Park fieldhouse,” said General Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. “The completion of these projects will preserve these important park assets and ensure they continue to serve their communities and the city for years to come.” 

13. Sustainable Updates to CPS Outdoor Spaces

• Through the "Sustainable Updates to CPS' Outdoor Spaces" project, Chicago Public Schools will build an artificial turf field at Onahan Elementary School. The field will serve the residents of District 5 as a green space for activities and community while protecting the community from flooding.
• Requested Amount: $1,000,000
• “The proposed turf field at Onahan Elementary School will have a transformational impact on the 644 students, their families and the surrounding community, said Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. “We are excited to see this project move forward. The entire Onahan community will benefit from access to the new facility, without concern for poor and dangerous field conditions due to flooding."

14. Village of Barrington Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

• The Village of Barrington wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was constructed in 1936 and the most recent Plant upgrade was in 1979. As most of the equipment and structures are between 45 and 88 years old, the wastewater treatment process is beginning to fail and is becoming unreliable. This project will replace and rehab 25 pieces of equipment and processes at the WWTP to ensure the water discharging meets all limits and future limits set by the EPA.
• Requested Amount: $2,900,000
• "I would like to thank Congressman Mike Quigley for his support of this project. The Village owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant that provides essential services for the residents of Barrington and surrounding areas. The project will extend the life of the plant for many decades while incorporating energy efficiencies and reducing the impact on the environment," said Karen Darch, Village of Barrington President. 

15. Weber Spur Trail

• The Weber Spur Trail is a rails-to-trails project on the far north side of Chicago that will convert a 2 mile, 100 foot wide Union Pacific right-of-way to multi-use trail. The trail starts in the northeast at Devon/Springfield and ends in the southeast at Elston/Kimberly and will go as far as Lawrence/Cicero for ROW acquisition. The grade-separated trail, diagonal to the city grid, will provide key connections in the bicycle network. It will connect the Sauganash Trail, North Shore Channel/Channel Runne Trail, Elston Avenue Spoke Route bike lane, FPDCC LaBagh Woods, and the FPDCC North Branch Trail.
• Requested Amount: $2,000,000
• “We are one step closer - or 1.7 miles closer to be exact -  in making the expansion of the Weber Spur Trail a reality. This path will encourage more folks to walk and bike, improve public health, and strengthen local businesses. I look forward to working with the community, stakeholders, and  the Chicago Department of Transportation on moving this project forward,” said Samantha Nugent, Alderman of the 39^th Ward.
• "The proposed Weber Spur Trail will provide a crucial link for people biking and walking, connecting some of our region’s most popular trails and promoting active transportation. We are grateful for Congressman Quigley’s support and his efforts to secure federal funding for this important community project,” said Tom Carney, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation.