State Representative Bradley Stephens (IL) | Representative Brad Stephens (R) 20th District Assistant Republican Leader
State Representative Bradley Stephens (IL) | Representative Brad Stephens (R) 20th District Assistant Republican Leader
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced the application period for the next round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants, which will be open from July 1 through September 13. This matching program provides an advance payment of 50% of the grant award amount for development projects shortly after the grant agreement is executed. Local agencies must demonstrate their ability to finance the remaining project costs before receiving the remaining grant funds.
A total of $54 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. Additionally, IDNR will cover 100% of eligible project costs in economically distressed communities. In January's most recent round, 32 underserved locations received grants for local park projects.
“I encourage any community that is considering a park development or improvement project to apply for an OSLAD grant. Parks and green spaces are the heart of our neighborhoods and communities,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Everyone belongs in nature. An investment in the outdoors is an investment in the health and well-being of the people of Illinois.”
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has awarded more than $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois. The program is funded through a percentage of Illinois’ Real Estate Transfer Tax.
The application period opens on July 1, with a submission deadline at 5 p.m. on September 13, 2024. Entities must be registered and current in the state’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Act grantee portal before applying. Applications will be accepted online via the Amplifund portal.
IDNR staff along with the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) will offer a training webinar to demonstrate how to complete an application in Amplifund. The webinar will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 17th.
IAPD members need to register through the IAPD website while non-members can participate online using passcode: 986269 or call in at 309-205-3325 or 312-626-6799 with passcode: 986269. The webinar ID is 880-7945-4324.
For more information about OSLAD grants, visit IDNR's website or call 217-782-7481.
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