Press Release - Tuesday, September 13, 2022
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State of Illinois Announces Recipients of $3.5 Million Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Program
Local grants empower 42 Illinois communities and economic development organizations in every region of the state to promote long-term economic recovery
CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the 42 grant recipients that will receive nearly $3.5 million in funding to accelerate local economic recovery initiatives. Through the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program, the State is providing grants to help local governments and economic development organizations (EDOs) to create or update economic plans to promote economic recovery. After the plans are created, DCEO will offer grantees a competitive grant opportunity to apply for funding for specific projects included in their plans. This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
"Cities, regions, towns and villages across Illinois understand the opportunities and needs of their own communities and the RISE program empowers them to collaborate and plan for improvements," said Governor JB Pritzker. "These grants will help communities craft economic development plans that reflect the specific impact of the pandemic on their region, with the opportunity to apply for funding to put the plans into action in the future."
RISE empowers local governments and regional EDOs to create meaningful plans that align with the state's overarching economic plan, with a focus on specific initiatives and investments that support recovery from the pandemic. From plans to reactivate commercial corridors, build more affordable housing, or make investments that improve quality of life the grant recipients are taking a comprehensive approach to economic development.
"Under Governor Pritzker's leadership, we are investing in cities and towns across Illinois to boost their economic recovery," said DCEO Director Sylvia I. Garcia. "The RISE program helps communities create meaningful plans that include tangible next steps tailored to their unique needs and opportunities. These plans will help cities, towns and regions be competitive for additional funding to support projects outlined in the plans that will improve quality of life and economic development across Illinois."
The RISE grants will reimburse awardees for costs associated with developing or updating an economic recovery plan, including salaries or contractual costs, research, outreach, and public meetings as well as expenses associated with administering the grant, such as meeting space rentals and printing. Applicants that faced financial and capacity constraints or were located in underserved communities were prioritized for an award. After plans are completed, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for grants to fund specific initiatives or investments outlined in their economic plans. To be eligible, applicants were required to provide letters of support from the local municipality or counties impacted by the plan.
The economic development planning efforts, which are funded by ARPA, include plans focused on revitalizing commercial corridors, improving affordable housing options, supporting local workforces and more. The grantees are located in all ten economic regions of the state and awards range from $25,000 to $150,000, with an average grant award of $82,300.
| Grantee | Project Description | Funding |
| Berwyn Development Corporation | Economic recovery plan focused on workforce, demographic trends, infrastructure and more. | $75,000.00 |
| Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation & Development | Economic recovery plan focused on workforce, job growth and programming | $121,061.22 |
| City of Cahokia Heights | Economic recovery plan that includes all three of the communities that form Cahokia Heights. | $74,840.00 |
| City of Cairo | Economic recovery plan focused on formulating policies to improve Cairo's economic prospects. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Carbondale | Updated economic development strategic plan that responds to the economic impacts of the pandemic. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Casey | Economic recovery plan focused on commercial and retail corridors. | $26,000.00 |
| City of Danville | Economic recovery and connectivity planning project in Downtown. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Effingham | Economic recovery plan for the City which will focus on residential housing and workforce housing | $75,000.00 |
| City of Freeport | Economic recovery planning for Freeport's Downtown. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Genoa | Economic recovery planning project with an emphasis on housing. | $33,923.26 |
| City of Jacksonville | Economic recovery planning project with an emphasis on housing. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Monmouth | Economic development strategy with a focus on new private investment in commercial, industrial, and residential development opportunities. | $68,000.00 |
| City of Ottawa | Economic recovery plan focused on downtown residential development and short-term rentals. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Pana | Economic recovery plan focused on public and local business sector collaboration. | $38,000.00 |
| City of Robinson | Economic recovery plan with a focus on community outreach, housing and more. | $75,000.00 |
| City of Savanna | Economic revitalization plan with a focus on housing. | $50,000.00 |
| City of Sesser | Economic recovery plan focused on social and economic trends with a focus on the impact of COVID-19 and goals for the city. | $25,000.00 |
| City of Springfield | Downtown and Medical District master plan. | $150,000.00 |
| City of Woodstock | Study of the economic opportunities associated with an arts market. | $75,000.00 |
| Coles Together | Regional plan focused on COVID-19 recovery and economic infrastructure. | $150,000.00 |
| DevCorp North dba Rogers Park Business Alliance | Economic recovery plan for Howard Street commercial corridor. | $99,030.45 |
| Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin | Economic recovery plan focused on Elgin's Downtown Central Corridor. | $39,620.00 |
| Greater Peoria Economic Development Council | Economic recovery plan focused on regional workforce. | $150,000.00 |
| Great River Economic Development Foundation | Housing plan for Adams County and City of Quincy. | $54,844.00 |
| Greater Champaign-Urbana Economic Partnership | Regional market analysis focused on office, retail, and industrial spaces. | $150,000.00 |
| Henry County | Tourism plan to identify strategies to reestablish a tourism governance structure. | $75,000.00 |
| Kane County | Creating a plan to support and study impacts on industry, mental health and broadband access. | $150,000.00 |
| McLean County Regional Planning Commission | Economic recovery plan focused on expanding housing services and affordable housing options. | $83,793.05 |
| Mercer County Better Together | Economic recovery plan to evaluate potential partnership structures between local government and non-profits. | $64,226.78 |
| Mercer County Board of Supervisors | Economic recovery plan focused on COVID-19 recovery with a focus on population growth and job creation. | $75,000.00 |
| Monroe County EDC | Regional economic recovery plan. | $75,000.00 |
| North Central Illinois Council of Governments | Economic recovery plan for broadband assessment and design. | $150,000.00 |
| Ogle County | Economic recovery plan focused on broadband, employment, and housing. | $75,000.00 |
| Region 1 Joint Planning Commission | Northern Illinois Emerging Industry and Workforce Analysis | $148,916.94 |
| Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau | Tourism recovery master plan focused on tourism and business impacts. | $150,000.00 |
| Southern Five Regional Planning District | Economic recovery plan for the five southernmost counties in Illinois focused on industry and jobs. | $75,000.00 |
| Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development | Economic recovery plan with a focus on workforce and housing. | $40,000.00 |
| Village of Bannockburn | Economic recovery plan focused on various areas including commercial zones, collaboration with education institutions, tourism and more. | $67,814.09 |
| Village of Chatham | Economic recovery plan with a focus on infrastructure and impacts of remote work. | $75,000.00 |
| Village of Flanagan | Economic recovery plan focused on population, economic opportunities, and quality of life. | $58,868.00 |
| Village of Grantfork | Economic recovery plan focused on workforce and industry. | $38,390.00 |
| Village of Hardin | Business district redevelopment plan focused on supporting and attracting businesses and commercial corridors. | $74,998.00 |
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