DuPage County Recovery Act Programs

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed into law on February 17, 2009.  With the enactment have come an unprecedented level of funding and a new era of fiscal responsibility.  The purpose of the Recovery Act, while ultimately established to invest in the future of our country, is geared to help stimulate the nation's economy, create and/or retain jobs, as well as attend to a multitude of issues and challenges.

DuPage County is a recipient of ARRA funding for an assortment of priorities ranging from energy efficiency projects to health and human services initiatives to infrastructure improvements and even workforce development.  The information provided highlights stimulus funding which DuPage County has received, as well as how that funding intends to be used. 

For further information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Federal and State Recovery web sites are provided below for your reference.

Federal Recovery web site:  http://www.recovery.gov 
State of Illinois Recovery site:  http://recovery.illinois.gov

Thank you for interest in DuPage County Recovery Act programs.

$4,714,015 - Workforce Investment Act funding
DuPage County has been allocated $4.7 million in federal stimulus funds for job preservation, training and creation.  The total allocation is broken down into three initiatives:  $538, 404 for Adult Employment and Training Activities; $2,717,041 for Dislocated Worker Employment and Training; and $1,458,570 for Youth Activities.

The Adult Employment and Training funds will be used to facilitate the increased training of individuals for high-growth and high demand occupations.  The Dislocated Worker funds will provide training services for unemployed workers in a variety of sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing and "green" jobs.  Funds will also be used to provide incumbent worker training for companies to help retain them in DuPage County and help them expand.  Youth Activities funds will help to create summer employment opportunities for individuals under the age of 24. 

$3,614,900 - Highways and Bridges program
DuPage County is scheduled to receive $3.6 million in federal stimulus dollars to support several County road projects.  The projects are designated as LAPP (Local Agency Pavement Preservation) projects.  The scope of work will primarily include milling the existing pavement and resurfacing to extend the service life of the roadway and to restore ride-ability.  Work will also include patching, curb and gutter and sidewalk repairs, and striping.  Plans are being prepared in anticipation of a January 2010 bid opening.  Construction would begin in spring, 2010 and be completed in the summer, 2010.  The projects which were funded include:

• Naperville Road (IL Route 38 to IL Route 56)
• Naperville Road (IL 56 to Lucent Dr)
• Lemont Road (83rd St./Plainfield Road to 97th St.)
• Gary Avenue (Jewell to St. Charles Rd)

$1,203,019 - Community Service Block Grant (CSBG)
DuPage County received $1,203,019 in Community Service Block Grant funds under a formula allocation stemming from the federal stimulus monies.  This is in addition to regular annual funding of $750,000 for the County.  These CSBG funds will provide for basic needs assistance such as emergency housing, medical assistance, child care, rent and mortgage assistance and food for persons with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.  The State is the direct recipient of federal stimulus funding, and the County, as a sub-recipient of the State, will distribute a majority of the funds to a number of local organizations.  The proposed budget emphasizes such support to the YWCA CCR&R to fund a ground breaking program to help the unemployed with child care while in job training classes, conducting job searches and interviewing.  ; the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform to support emergency needs of those waiting approval for State and County programs; the People's Resource Center Food Pantry; Catholic Charities Hope House shelter for situationally homeless families; basic needs through the County; medical assistance through the County, Access DuPage, and the DuPage Community Clinic Dental Program; PADS day site; scholarships for college and/or technical training.

$2,268,240 - Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program
A grant agreement has been received for $2,268,240 in federal stimulus monies through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program.  The funds, however, are not available to begin spending just yet.  Funds can be used for those individuals who are at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.  The County anticipates weatherizing about 1,000 units per year and will be able to do more multifamily units than in the past.  The emphasis will primarily be on non-profit owned housing.

$1,066,577 - CDBG-R (Community Development Block Grant - Recovery)
DuPage County was allocated an additional $1,066,577 in federal stimulus monies for support of community development programs.  The County has received the grant agreement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, although funds are not yet available to spend or draw down. The focus on those projects includes infrastructure (street reconstruction, sewers, water lines, streetlights in low-income neighborhoods) and job retention or creation.  Community Development staff has completed the required environmental reviews and sub-grantee agreements.   Staff is in the process of reviewing bid specifications and anticipates construction contracts to be awarded by municipalities within the required six-month time period.  Funds were granted to the following municipalities:  Addison, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Villa Park, West Chicago, and Woodridge.

$1,433,723 - Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP)
The grant agreement for $1,443,723 has been received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The DuPage Homeless Continuum, Grants Funding Committee, acting as the County's liaison, received ten (10) applications in response to its Request for Proposals (RFP) for HPRP funds.  CDC staff reviewed the applications, and the Continuum agreed with the recommendations of the CDC staff. The recommendations will be presented to CDC Executive Committee, and then to the County Board on September 22, 2009.  Pending approval, funds will be allocated to subrecipients Peoples Resource Center, Outreach Community Ministries, Catholic Charities, and DuPage Community Services for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Programs; and Hinsdale Community Services for Homelessness Prevention. Funds will also be allocated for set-asides including Prairie State Legal Services for legal services related to rental housing and DuPage Homeownership Center for credit repair. DuPage Community Services will receive funding allocations for set-asides including Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data collection and evaluation; Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection of units, and HPRP funding administration.

All funds must be under agreement with subrecipients by September 30, 2009.

DuPage County Designated as a Recovery Zone

The County of DuPage adopted a resolution on August 11, 2009 designating the County as a Recovery Zone in accordance with The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  As a Recovery Zone, ARRA allows DuPage County to allocate volume cap of $69 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB) to private industry for development projects.  Recovery Zone Facility Bonds must be issued prior to January 1, 2011.

The bonds can be used for the construction of new or expanded buildings and for the purchase of equipment used in the trade or business.  Certain restrictions on the use of funds may apply to the rehabilitation or improvement of existing buildings.  The benefit to the private sector is a lower cost of financing compared to conventional methods.  For further information on the Recovery Zone Facility Bond Program go to:  http://www.choosedupage.com/events/press_releases.html