Carbon Hill, Coal City awarded improvement funds

Over $1.4 million in federal funding has been awarded to the villages of Carbon Hill and Coal City for public infrastructure and housing rehabilitation projects.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced on Aug. 4 that the villages were among 54 communities across the state to be awarded a portion of $56.9 million in Community Development Block Grant [CDBG].

Carbon Hill will receive $784,970 for public infrastructure improvements aimed at making critical repairs to water, sewer and drainage infrastructure.

"Since day one as Governor, it has been my priority to ensure that every family, individual, and child in Illinois has access to safe and healthy water, housing, and infrastructure," said Governor JB Pritzker. "That's what my administration's Rebuild Illinois capital plan is all about and now, in further partnership with the federal government, over 50 projects across Illinois will receive grants to support projects that will better our communities for years to come."

Coal City was awarded $650,000 in housing rehabilitation funds, the second round of funding granted to the community.

"Communities in every corner of the state should have access to resources to keep Illinois families safe and healthy with a proper roof over their heads," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "The Community Development Block Grants will provide critical assistance to rehabilitate dozens of homes and improve infrastructure in the areas that need it the most without placing the sole burden of funding costly projects on local entities."

The funds awarded to Coal City will allow the village to rehab the interiors and exteriors of approximately 10 owner-occupied single family homes.

The CDBG dollars are overseen by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity [DCEO].

The housing dollars are earmarked to assist low to moderate income homeowners complete repairs such as new roofs and windows, as well as kitchen and bath renovations, and making spaces handicapped accessible.

The financial award can be utilized across the entire village rather than a specific neighborhood as with the first housing rehabilitation project.

The village of Braceville and city of Morris were also awarded $650,000 in housing rehab funds.

A total of $8.4 million in housing rehabilitation assistance was awarded to 13 communities to invest in 135 housing projects.

The dollars awarded to Carbon Hill are a portion of $48.5 million for 41 infrastructure projects designed to provide undeserved communities with the funds necessary to improve public infrastructure and eliminate conditions detrimental to public health, safety and welfare.

The projects include construction of storm sewer pipes, waterline replacements, hydrant and water storage tank construction and projects to help mitigate flooding and support sewage management, water delivery and other pubic water necessities.

The village of Verona will also receive infrastructure funds totaling $490,881 in public infrastructure.