October 22, 2021
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News from SSMMA
Illinois Gaming Board Moves Forward in Selection Process of South Suburban Casino
On October 20th state gaming regulators moved forward with their votes on casino bids between four south suburban municipalities which included Calumet City, Lynwood, Homewood/East Hazel Crest, and Matteson.

This month, all four applicants were able to pitch their ideas to the Illinois Gaming Board. Board Chairman Charles Schmadeke said, "narrowing the list was not an easy task and the decision rested in part on the commitments applicants were making to the communities they planned to locate in, as well as the level of community support for a casino."

Although the final vote eliminated Lynwood and Calumet City as prospective areas for development, proposals in Matteson and Homewood/East Hazel Crest remain.

Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones said he "respects the decision of the Illinois Gaming Board, wishes the best for Homewood and Matteson, and is confident the casino revenue sharing required by Illinois law will be a huge victory for all of southern Cook County."

Homewood and East Hazel Crest are partnering with Wind Creek Hospitality for a 64,000-square-foot casino off the interchange of Interstate 80 and Halsted Street. According to Wind Creek, the $300 million initial phases would include an entertainment center and 21-story hotel, with a rooftop balcony offering views of Chicago’s skyline.

Matteson is partnering with Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation and has plans for a casino on the former Lincoln Mall property. According to representatives, the first phase would be a 123,000-square-foot casino, with a 200-room hotel and convention center to be built later.
Upcoming Meetings and Events


Click here to view SSMMA's 2021 meeting schedule.

Transportation Committee Meeting- Tuesday, November 2nd at 2:00pm

SSMMA Holiday Dinner Gala-Stay tuned for news on our Holiday Dinner Gala held on Thursday, December 2nd at Lansing Serbian Social Center.

Registration information soon to come!


View Municipal and Local Job Openings on Our Website

Find job postings here or contact us if you would like to have a job opening posted.
Chicago Southland Hiring Event

• Opportunity Advancement Innovation, the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation, and the Supply Chain Innovation Center and Business Incubator will host a hiring event on Thursday, November 4th.

• The event will be held at Victory Apostolic Church from 10:00am-1:00pm.

Governor Pritzker Unveils Six Year Timeline for $1.2 Billion Reconstruction of I-80 Highway Through Will County
This month Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the timeline for major reconstruction of Interstate Highway 80 through Will County.

A part of Pritzker's $45 million infrastructure plan, the reconstruction of this highway will include work on bridges over the Des Plaines River. Recent developments have caused truck traffic and highway congestion to increase as warehouses like Amazon and logistic companies have made their way along I-80.

“In recent decades, this stretch of I-80 has also come to represent the disinvested infrastructure that Illinois used to be notorious for. That’s all changing.”

According to John Grueling, President and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development the I-80 Coalition has been working to move the project forward for years.

“Improving I-80 is a critical step in ensuring that our infrastructure is prepared to meet the growing transportation demands throughout the region. Will County is the largest inland port in North America, serving as a key connection between the Chicagoland region and the rest of the country. I’m grateful for the efforts of Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly in prioritizing this important project, said Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant who previously served as the 49th District Senator. The total reconstruction is projected to be completed by 2027.
Village of Dixmoor Accepting Water Donations to Assist Residents
• The Village of Dixmoor is currently accepting bottled water donations at the village hall to assist residents amid the recent water main break.

• Community leaders who may need additional assistance with coordinating donations can contact SSMMA Executive Director Kristi DeLaurentiis or call 708-922-4670.
COVID-19 News
As vaccination efforts across south suburban Cook continue, the percentage of vaccinated south suburban residents is progressing slowly. SSMMA's COVID Vaccine Tracker shows that the current regional vaccination rate is 47%, compared to 63.4% statewide.


  • As of October 22nd, the seven-day average positivity rate for the SSMMA region is 2.69%, versus 1.9% for Suburban Cook County.


  • Find regional vaccination rates and vaccine clinics directly at ssmmacovid.org.
State and Local COVID-19 Information
• Governor Pritzker announces state-wide campaign to increase booster shots for seniors and at-risk Illinois residents

• The Illinois Department of Public Health offers full guidance for COVID-19

• Will County Health Department offers residents information and guidelines related to COVID-19.

Community Vaccination Information
• Cook County Department of Health will offer vaccinations on Oct. 23rd at an event partnered with PC's for People. The event will be held at River Oaks Mall from 10:00am-6:00pm.

• Vaccination clinics in Blue Island, Ford Heights, and Robbins offer vaccinations Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm. No appointment is required.

• South Suburban College is now offering all three vaccinations along with testing. Learn more.

• Grand Prairie Services will host a vaccination clinic on October 23rd from 10:00am-1:00pm

• Cook County Department of Health is providing free, flexible, and accessible transportation options to vaccination clinics.
Resources & Assistance

• ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program is offering multiple options to families in need of discounts and energy-saving options. Municipal leaders can access a toolkit to spread the news in their communities.

• Find a list of federal and DCEO grant opportunities here.

• The Southland Development Authority offers business resources, housing assistance, and job opportunities for residents. Learn more.

• CEDA is offering gas and electric bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. CEDA is launching a Low Income Household Water Assistance (LIHWA) Grant Program designed to assist low-income households in Cook County with the payment of their water and wastewater utility bills. For more information contact CEDA.
October News from Our Community Partners
CMAP Technical Assistance and RTA Community Planning Programs
• The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), is hosting a call for communities to apply for technical assistance.

• CMAP and RTA are offering 16 types of planning assistance that include planning for major capital projects, corridor studies, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

• The application is open until October 28th at noon.


• The webinar will be held on October 27th. Register here.
• The Greater Chicago Food Depository is offering free assistance to south suburban residents in need of applying for SNAP or Medicaid benefits

• For more information contact the outreach team at 773-843-5416

• Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance application is now open for qualifying applicants.

• If you have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic and need assistance to pay your rent and/or utility bills, you may be eligible for Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance.
• Nicor is looking for partners to assist with their Energy Efficiency Program initiative to provide free smart thermostats to income-eligible customers.

• Contact Patricia Eaves for more information.

More News in The Southland

• National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 24 - 30th. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are offering six webinars, a resource guide, and a toolkit for stakeholders for community engagement and resources.

• Congratulations to the Village of Dolton for being awarded the Holiday Lights Grant from ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The Village of Dolton plans to host a tree lighting ceremony with a toy drive for families in need. Learn more

• The Village of Monee will host Trunk or Treat on October 29th at the Village Hall. Contact The Village office for more information.

• Check out The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau for more events happening this month in The Southland!
SPC News

Thank You for Making the Fall Auction a Success!

  • Thank you to Evanston, Glenview, Homewood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Olympia Fields, Palatine and Wilmette for sending more than forty vehicles and equipment to Tuesday’s Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Auction. Sales were very competitive, with the items selling for a total of over $186,000.

  • Staff will advertise the live auction dates for 2022 when they have been finalized. In the interim, America’s Auto Auction hosts online sales on par with other government surplus Internet auctions, so members can sell vehicles at any time during the year.


SPC Expands Office & Janitorial Supplies Program

  • The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) is excited to announce the expansion of the combined Office Supplies and Janitorial Supplies program (Contract #189) with Warehouse Direct! Through their acquisition of Dumore, Inc., Warehouse Direct now has access to over 300,000 additional Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) items through the Do It Best hardware cooperative. Information on the expanded program may be found by visiting the Warehouse Direct MRO Brochure.


View the current SPC Catalog.
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