(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the next phase of his Rebuild Illinois Plan, including over $100 million in construction grants aimed at commercial corridors in 50 downtowns.
The projects are part of the $34.6 billion Rebuild Illinois plan that’s paid for with tax and fee increases, including a doubling of the state’s gas tax in 2019.
Pritzker announced the investments during a news conference at AltonWorks, in Alton. Pritzker said that Alton would be one of the 50 towns in Illinois to receive funding.
The infrastructure investment doubles the previous year’s investment, Pritzker said.
“I am thrilled to announce that we are doubling last year’s investment in our Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Grant program to include over 50 communities throughout Illinois to modernize downtowns, address long-awaited infrastructure needs, and boost local economies and, in turn, bettering the quality of life for our state’s residents,” said Pritzker.
The state’s $106 million spend will be matched by the federal tax dollars bringing the total to over $200 million in funding.
Pritzker laid out some things that will be happening across the state as part of this next investment in infrastructure.
“This means that Broadway Avenue in Aurora, the Times Theatre in Rockford, Simmons street in Galesburg, the Opera House in Woodstock, and many more are all going to be getting makeovers,” Pritzker said.
Last week the state announced another $20 billion of transportation investments for the Rebuild Illinois plan, including 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of the bridge deck.
Funding for the $34.6 billion plan has come from a raise in the motor fuel tax per gallon from 19 cents to 38 cents in 2019, and increases in the special fuels tax on diesel fuel, liquefied natural gas, or propane by 5 cents per gallon.
A complete list of the projects was provided by the governor’s office:
Recipients & LocationProject DescriptionFundingAltonWorks, AltonRestoration of historic buildings for the Wedge Innovation Center incubator.$3,000,000City of AledoRoadway & streetscape improvements, including public plazas.$3,000,000City of AnnaDowntown streetscape & water/sewer improvements.$812,930City of ArcolaDowntown infrastructure improvements, including sanitary & stormwater sewer. $1,040,000City of AuroraBroadway Ave. corridor street & streetscape improvements.$3,000,000City of Calumet CityBurnham Ave. corridor improvements.$686,000City of CarbondaleDowntown Arts & Entertainment District improvements.$2,055,040City of CarrolltonCourthouse square improvements.$1,900,000City of CollinsvilleSt. Louis Road & Collinsville Road corridor initiative.$1,828,350City of DanvilleWalnut Street corridor reconstruction.$3,000,000City of EdwardsvilleWater/sewer & streetscape improvements on Main Street.$2,869,031City of FloraCity grants for businesses making repairs/enhancements in commercial corridors. $1,273,268City of GalesburgSimmons Street streetscape improvements/reconstruction$2,082,494City of GreenvilleNew downtown public plaza, including pavilion & visitors center.$1,900,000City of JacksonvilleSouth Main St. reconstruction (continuation of Downtown Turnaround Project).$2,975,161City of JolietConstruction of “City Square” on Chicago St. corridor.$3,000,000City of KewaneeDowntown streetscape improvements.$2,954,460City of LitchfieldRehab of historic downtown building. $398,552City of MattoonDowntown lighting, parking and accessibility improvements.$525,000City of Moline7th Ave. reconstruction & connector project.$3,000,000City of MonmouthDowntown Square revitalization.$3,000,000City of OttawaConstruction of an outdoor riverfront amphitheater$3,000,000City of Peoria Public WorksWisconsin Ave. corridor project.$3,000,000City of PittsfieldMonroe Street reconstruction/streetscaping. $2,842,129City of Quincy6th Street Corridor reconstruction/ streetscaping$2,400,000City of RochelleDowntown parking construction & rehab.$1,151,794City of Rock FallsAcquisition and redevelopment of the abandoned Micro Industries property.$2,200,717City of RockfordMadison St. corridor reconstruction and utilities improvements. $2,087,966City of TaylorvilleDowntown square/business corridor streetscape and infrastructure improvements.$ 3,000,000City of WenonaDowntown streetscape improvements, including sidewalks, lighting and charging stations. $969,580City of WoodstockWoodstock Opera House renovations.$2,964,553Deeply Rooted Productions, ChicagoConstruction of South Side Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood.$2,999,414E. G. Woode, L3C, ChicagoRenovating a property to create a food hub/incubator in Englewood.$1,164,683GT Partners, LLC, RockfordHistoric theater Times Theatre renovation.$2,999,996Historic Champaign Holdings, ChampaignMulti-use redevelopment of historical downtown buildings.$3,000,000Long Family Management LLC, DeKalbAcquisition/rehab of vacant commercial property.$566,500Prairie Food Co-op, LombardConstruction of community grocery store in downtown Lombard.$807,835Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Rock IslandDowntown Rock Island Revitalization (multi-faceted)$3,000,000Re:PurposeDevelopment LLC, CentraliaWinery Block Downtown renovation for mixed-used. $ 1,000,000Village of BourbonnaisBourbonnais Community Campus and Village Green improvements.$3,000,000Village of BradleyRoute 50 corridor improvements.$ 3,000,000Village of Davis JunctionCommercial development and infrastructure improvements.$ 3,000,000Village of Fairmont CityCookson St. corridor roadway, streetscape & drainage improvements. $1,270,696Village of LansingBusiness district sidewalk replacement.$875,000Village of Maywood5th Avenue and Lake Street Business Corridor enhancements.$2,252,000Village of NilesImprovements at civic center, including plaza development.$1,800,000Village of North UticaRedevelopment of vacant lot, including utilities & commercial space for small businesses. $ 1,249,969Village of PeotoneDowntown Street reconstruction and streetscape.$2,458,071Village of RantoulDowntown Master Plan implementation and overall Downtown revitalization including infrastructure improvements. $3,000,000Village of Richton ParkRedevelopment of Town Center properties.
