IDOT’s I-57 Interchange Study Moves Forward | | |
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is advancing its study of potential improvements to the I-57 corridor. The study area includes the Villages of Monee, Peotone, and University Park, all members of SSMMA, and aims to enhance connectivity by extending improvements to adjacent arterial roadways, ensuring better access beyond the local network.
The first Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting was held on February 25 at Monee Village Hall, with invited participants including Monee Mayor Therese Bogs, Monee Administrator Ruben Bautista, Peotone Administrator Nick Palmer, Congresswoman Kelly staff member Rick Bryant, and SSMMA Executive Director Kristi DeLaurentiis, alongside agency officials and community members. As the study progresses, alternative development will refine the study area, leading to a Preferred Alternative selection.
Results from the survey released in November 2024 indicate that 88% of respondents travel the corridor by car, with top concerns being congestion, agriculture preservation, and environmental protection. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, the study team will assess the proposed improvements' environmental, cultural, and human impacts while working to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential effects. While the study area extends one mile east of IL 50, engagement maps will expand to include Bult Field Airport and nearby freight clusters.
For additional details, read the first I-57 Access Study newsletter and visit I-57 Study website.
| | Additional Grant Opportunities and Resources | | |
• Cook County has launched two new grant opportunities to enhance community safety: Community Violence Intervention Grants (CC-CVI) and Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence (CC-SGV). Learn more.
• Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced the Creative Placemaking grant program, a $2 million initiative supporting arts and culture in the suburbs. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 will be awarded to nonprofits leading projects that integrate arts, culture, and design to drive community revitalization.
• FEMA has released a NOFO for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. BRIC grants are designed to assist communities in developing disaster risk planning, analyzing hazards, and implementing projects to increase resiliency and safety. Learn more.
• The Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current program provides $500 million in funding to reduce flood risk for NFIP-insured properties with repetitive or substantial flood damage. Learn more.
• Find a list of DECO grant opportunities for the state of Illinois here.
• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications for green infrastructure projects, under the GIGO program. Learn more.
• Check out Will County's small business assistance resource page.
| | News from Community Partners | |
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The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), has opened its annual call for local planning assistance applications. Communities throughout northeastern Illinois can apply for support to improve road safety, accessibility, and connectivity. The application period runs from until noon on Friday, April 4. Submit applications here.
For more information or questions about the application process, email applications@cmap.illinois.gov.
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Help Spread the Word! Learn How Cook County Leak Repair Can Help Your Community Save on Water Bills
Cook County TAP is partnering with the Cook County Leak Repair program to host an informative webinar on how this new initiative can assist suburban Cook County families facing high water bills. The program offers free plumbing repairs, fixture upgrades, and support for managing past-due water bills through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and administration by Elevate.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 27, at 2 p.m., providing an overview of the program, its benefits, and how to get involved. Municipal leaders, public works officials, and community outreach staff are encouraged to attend. Register here until March 26.
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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Asking for Member Feedback
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is seeking input from Watershed Planning Council members on ways to improve future meetings. Through a short survey, members can share their thoughts and ideas for strategies to increase attendance. The survey is open until April 30. Take the survey here.
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2025 ComEd Powering Communities Grant Program Now Open
Communities and nonprofit organizations can now apply for up to $10,000 in grant funding through ComEd’s Green Region, Powering Safe Communities, or Powering the Arts grant programs.
Applications will be accepted through 5:00 PM CST on March 28th, 2025.
Enhance Your Community with Free Trees!
ComEd, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, is offering complimentary sapling trees through the 2025 Power Planting Program to help improve greenspaces in your community. Municipalities within ComEd’s service area can reserve up to 25 trees at no cost, with EIEC communities eligible for up to 50 trees.
Tree requests must be submitted by noon on March 31, while supplies last. Approved orders will be shipped in April. These trees are intended for public giveaways or planting in community spaces—resale is not permitted.
Reserve your trees today: Tree Request Form
Exelon Foundation STEM Academy
Join the Exelon Foundation STEM Academy, a free, week-long, residential
leadership program at DePaul University! Designed just for young women
curious about energy and sustainability, this program offers hands-on
workshops, interactive field trips, and small group discussions with inspiring
women leaders from across the region. Apply here.
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Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Accepting Grant Applications
Powering Safe Communities
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, in partnership with ComEd, is accepting applications for the Powering Safe Communities program through March 29, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 for public safety and electrification projects. Eligible applicants include municipalities, townships, counties, and local governments within ComEd’s service area. Non-profits may also apply if partnered with a government entity.
Recipients must provide matching funds and complete projects within one year of receiving the grant. Past grants have supported projects like electric vehicles, charging stations, public safety equipment, and emergency systems.
Learn more and apply: Powering Safe Communities Program.
| | | | Job Postings & Requests for Proposals | |
• SSMMA offers a list of local job opportunities and RFPs throughout the south suburban region directly on our website.
• Municipalities and organizations can send job openings and proposals here to be publicly posted.
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Employee Assistance Program Enrollment Now Open – No Fee Increase
Take advantage of the opportunity to enroll in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)!
TELUS Health is the current EAP provider and offers confidential, cost-free referrals and assessment services twenty-four hours a day for employees and their families.
Areas of assistance include dealing with issues such as substance abuse, mental health, family and marital problems, and financial and legal matters. Please contact Marina Durso, 847-296-9200, ext. 122 or mdurso@nwmc-cog.org.
Mark Your Calendars for the 2025 Auctions!
Thank you to Flossmoor, Hazel Crest, and Thornton for signing up to participate in the Spring Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Auction. The auction will be held at noon on Tuesday, April 22 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. The auction is
the perfect time to cull the herd of vehicles suffering from the dreaded “lot rot” and earn the best possible price.
Sourcewell Has Your Purchasing Needs
As a reminder, the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) has an alliance with Sourcewell, providing members access to over 830 products and services via Sourcewell’s national cooperative purchasing program. For questions or additional information, please contact staff or Sourcewell Associate Director of Government Accounts Jake Denning, 218-895-4140 (office) or 218-296-0612 (cell).
Check out the weekly briefing here.
| For more information visit ssmma.org/spc or contact Melissa Doud. |
Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.
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