PEORIA – Hardworking Illinoisans across the state have already begun to receive financial relief thanks to the Illinois Family Relief Plan, supported by State Senator Dave Koehler and members of the General Assembly.

“Hardworking people here in Central Illinois and across the state are feeling the strain at the store, at the pump, and on other everyday expenses,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By putting hard-earned money back in the pockets of families across Central Illinois, we’re easing some of their financial burden and offering a well-deserved helping hand.”

Under Senate Bill 157, millions of Illinois taxpayers can expect to see up to $700 in tax rebates this fall.

The legislation states that individual filers who make less than $200,000 will receive a $50 income tax rebate, and couples who make less than $400,000 will receive $100. Filers are also eligible for $100 per dependent, with a maximum of three.

Additionally, people who paid property taxes in 2021 on their primary residence in 2020 – and make less than $250,000 individually or $500,000 jointly – are eligible for up to $300. The rebate will be equal to the property tax a resident was qualified to claim on their 2021 taxes.

People who filed taxes will automatically receive their rebate starting this week – but those who have not filed yet have until Oct. 17 to do so in order to receive their rebate, pending eligibility.

“I’m always proud to support measures that support our families, and I hope these rebates will provide some relief,” Koehler said.

More information on how the funds will be dispersed and qualification criteria is available at tax.illinois.gov/rebates.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced a second round of Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grants. This is a fantastic opportunity for communities in Central Illinois to develop and enhance tourism attractions and special events. The deadline to apply is Sept. 23.

This list includes the new round of Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grants, as well as other state and federal grants, including theSafe Streets and Roads for All program from the US Department of Transportation.

State Grants

NEW! Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grant Program

What: The Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program will help develop new or enhance existing tourism attractions located across the state – including but not limited to museums, state parks, historical sites, events, performances, and festivals. The funds may be utilized for capital projects, equipment, training, transportation, housing, receptions, entertainment, photography, temporary housing, and interpretive programs.  The goal of the program is to attract additional visitors and overnight stays that will bring foot traffic to communities across Illinois. 

Potential Applicants: Units of local government, nonprofits, local promotion groups, and businesses.

How Much: $15 million total. $5 million for festivals and events, and $10 million for attractions. Awards range from $15,000 to $500,000. Matching not required for nonprofits and local governments, but preference will be given to those providing matching funds. 75% match required for businesses.

Deadline: Sept. 23, 2022

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program

What:  Connect Illinois seeks to achieve ubiquitous broadband access for homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. Applications should be classified under one of three categories: (a) Broadband Access for in unserved or underserved areas; (b) Broadband Innovation for economic development; or (c) Urban Broadband for expanded access and/or innovation in qualified Illinois cities. All Connect Illinois projects must include infrastructure expansion scalable to speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload upon deployment. Allowable costs include network design, project planning, equipment, construction, and deployment of middle mile and/or last mile infrastructure.

Potential Applicants:  Businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, school districts, and local governments. Proposals covering unserved and/or underserved areas are eligible for Connect Illinois grant funding.

How Much: $350 million total, maximum grant size of $10 million. Preference given for a 50% match, but it is not required for an application to be competitive.

Deadline:  Rolling through 2024, or until funds are depleted

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

Federal Grants

More can be found on DCEO’s website.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

What:  The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program funds regional and local initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Entities can apply for Action Plan Grants and Implementation Grants. These grants can be used to develop or update a comprehensive safety Action Plan; conduct planning, design, and development activities in support of an Action Plan; and carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan.

Potential Applicants:  Metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and transit agencies.

How Much: $200,000 to $50,000,000

Deadline:  Sept. 15, 2022

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

SBA Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program

What:  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing funding to organizations to build capacity, market, and deliver their existing entrepreneurship programs to service-disabled veterans who aspire to be small business owners or currently own a small business.

Potential Applicants:  Non-profits, businesses, institutions of higher education. Must demonstrate a history of entrepreneurship training for veterans.

How Much: $50,000 to $150,000

Deadline:  Aug. 18, 2022

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

EDA Economic Development Research and National Technical Assistance Program

What:  Grants under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. These grants seek to promote critical, cutting-edge research and best practices with practitioners in the economic development field. They also support a small number of projects that provide technical assistance at a national scope.

Potential Applicants:  Local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, individuals, or for-profit organizations.

How Much: $1.5 million

Deadline:  Rolling

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced more than $50 million in funding for road and bridge improvement projects across the 46^th District.

“Communities across Central Illinois could not deserve this investment more,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By replacing aging infrastructure and repairing our roads and bridges, we keep our communities connected and help our local economies thrive.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, local communities will see 10 infrastructure projects totaling more than $50 million over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• $18,400,000 for repairs and replacements on the Bob Michel Bridge
• $2,420,000 for intersection improvement on Camp Street at Riverside Drive.
• $2,000,000 for bridge reconstruction on IL-8/IL-116 at the Cedar Street exit

The multi-year plan has allocated $34.6 billion in construction projects across Illinois over the next six fiscal years.

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

“These are roads and bridges we take every day to get to work, go to school, and visit the people we love,” Koehler said. “Not only will this investment make our roadways safer and our community more accessible, but it will create good-paying jobs for years to come.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 46^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

PEORIA – The City of Peoria Public Works is slated to receive a $3 million investment through the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program thanks to advocacy by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“By investing in our local infrastructure and making necessary replacements and repairs, we can create jobs, promote business growth, and bring more opportunities to our community,” said Koehler (D-Peoria).

The newest round of funding administered by the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity awards more than $100 million to 50 commercial corridors and main streets across the state. In addition to the $106 million provided in state funding, projects offered an additional $109 million in matching grant funds, for a total investment of $215 million.

The grants support projects that will revitalize commercial hubs, beautify and modernize downtowns, address critical infrastructure needs, boost jobs and improve the quality of life for residents. The $3 million grant awarded to the City of Peoria Public Works will be used for a corridor project on Wisconsin Avenue.

This funding is the latest installment of the Rebuild Illinois program, a historic $45 billion investment in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure and state facilities.

“So many communities across Central Illinois have seen investment that is well-deserved and long-overdue, thanks to Rebuild Illinois,” Koehler said. “This is yet another opportunity for our community to grow and thrive, and I’m looking forward to seeing this project begin.”

A full list of grant recipients is available online at Illinois.gov.