Chicago City Wire

On September 1, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, visitedthe Museum of Science and Industry, wrapping up his August tour of Community Project Funding sites throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition to the Museum of Science and Industry, Quigley has visited the Illinois Masonic Dental Clinic, Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Lakeview YMCA, Irving Park YMCA, AIDS Foundation, Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, California Park, and the Ela Township Community Center–all of which are sites Quigley secured federal funds for during the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. To learn more about these projects, click HERE. Photos and videos of Quigley’s visits are available upon request.

“Today’s visit to the Museum of Science and Industry highlights the impact this funding will have for Chicagoland. I am proud to have secured over $1 million to enhance their educational programming – which serves students, teachers and families across the region. The Museum of Science and Industry is introducing students to the STEM field – empowering a new generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. I look forward to seeing the ways in which this funding will empower this generation to innovate and impact our community into the next century,” said Quigley.

Additionally, Quigley is proud to announce that all fifteen of his community project funding requests, which were submitted to the Appropriations Committee this spring, were included in the House 2024 appropriation bills introduced this summer.

“Despite Democrats serving in the minority this Congress, I have been working diligently to secure critical priorities for Illinois’ fifth district. That commitment and perseverance has paid off and I’m proud to announce that all fifteen of my community project funding requests have been approved. This is a promising step forward,” said Quigley. “These projects will fund everything from desperately needed renovations for park facilities, improving our sewer drainage infrastructure to reduce the impact of flooding, and create biking and walking paths that connect communities and allow for greener transportation options. All fifteen community projects will have a measurable impact across the fifth district. We are not over the finish line just yet. I will continue working to see that these projects are passed out of the House and hopefully signed into law.”

The inclusion of Quigley’s fifteen projects in the House appropriations bills is an important step in securing nearly $13.2 million in funding for local projects. Last year, Quigley secured more than $15 million for local community projects as part of the same Appropriations process.

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

Des Plaines Sewer Lining Project

1.    This project will help extend the life of a 70+ year old sewer system and prevent additional inflow from going into the MWRD combined sewer system to help alleviate flooding within the system.

 MWRD Farmers-Prairie Creek Project

2.    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.

 Ela Township Emergency Operating Center Project

3.    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.

 Arlington Heights Bike Path

4.    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.

 Chicago Park District, Pulaski Park Renovation

5.    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.

 Chicago Park District; Sheil Park Restoration

6.    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.

 Chicago Police Department Pilot for Reconfiguration of Squad Car Technology

7.    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 backs and improve visibility, making it easier to complete reports in the field rather than return to the station.  

 Chicago Public Schools; Disney II Field Renovation

8.    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.

 Cook County Busse Road Rebuild

9.    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.

 Corboy Law Center Air System Upgrade

10.    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.

 Flint Creek Restoration Project

11.    This project would fund a feasibility study by the Army Corps of Engineers to restore the Flint Creek watershed after its illegal damning in the 1960s. The unpermitted damn has had an adverse impact on the water quality, degraded in-stream habitat, and blocked natural fish passage.

 Irving Park YMCA Accessibility Infrastructure

12.    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.

 Metra Edgebrook Station Renovation

13.    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.

 Metra O’Hare Pedestrian Pathway Design

14.    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 relieve traffic congestion.

 Mount Prospect Pedestrian Bridge

15.    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.

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.

Original source can be found here.