Stimulus Dollars at Work

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Dollars at Work for Illinois

Recovery Act funding helped leader of  East Central Illinois Community Agency create 20 permanent jobs and other summer jobs for his weatherizing program.  “The situation is almost reversed for Dwight Lucas, leader of East Central Illinois Community Action Agency.  According to the government Web site, the more than $2.5 million in stimulus funding won’t create a single job — which Lucas said isn’t true.  He said [the] new program money had allowed him to expand his three-county full-time staff by 20, which doesn’t even include the impact of an expanded weatherizing program, the additional interns who have been placed in the area or the temporary positions created with the tripling of this year’s summer youth-work program.  ‘Some of those kids got full-time jobs,’ he said.  ‘Some of them used those jobs to help support their families.’  The added money has helped create a much-needed Head Start program in Gibson City; some has been set aside to help staff members attain bachelor’s degrees; some will fund an ex-offender job-training program for area-only residents next year... Frank Wright, owner of Danville-based Wright’s Heating and a recipient of one of ECICAA’s contracts, said the work has allowed him to hire two full-time employees.  ‘I was leery of the whole stimulus thing at first, but they got it right,’ he said… Wright said the contract for low-income housing had led to additional referrals, which led to the hiring of two employees in addition to the contract work.  It also led the company to purchase two more vehicles and equipment (locally, he added), and at least two of the new employees had purchased vehicles since being hired.” [Commercial News, 12/14/09]

Danville Area Community College used Recovery Act funding to place 75 students in summer jobs.  “Danville Area Community College also has pressed the majority of its $1 million-plus in stimulus money into jobs-related services, most of the money added to the dislocated worker and youth grant programs.  Brian Hensgen, director of the college’s Junior Training Partnership Act program, said the demand for job training — and work force retraining — has skyrocketed with the onset of the area’s ongoing double-digit unemployment rate.  ‘Our numbers have doubled,’ Hensgen said.’..  Stimulus money helped fund a summer jobs program that placed 75 students ‘in meaningful jobs gaining real-world experience.’… Other jobs-related projects tied to the current round of stimulus funding (federal officials have hinted there may be more coming) include three road-resurfacing projects in Danville funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.” [Commercial News, 12/14/09] 
 

Jobs created by the Recovery Act include 3 new police officers and 14 jobs at the Danville Housing Authority, among others.  “A $763,000 grant to Danville is expected to create three jobs through the city’s COPS program.  GOOD NEWS:  Local projects reporting job created or saved through the use of stimulus money include:  Danville Housing Authority, 14 jobs; Vermilion County Housing Authority, 1 job; City of Danville (COPS program), 3 jobs; Veterans Affairs (cemetery renovation), 1 job; DACC (JTPA), 1 job; ECICAA, 20-plus jobs (not reported on site); City of Danville (Southgate expansion), estimated 40 construction/12 full-time jobs for total project.”[Commercial News, 12/14/09] 
 

From overhauling CTA stations to funding studies at research universities to making it possible for a clinic to keep a bilingual receptionist, “the impact of the stimulus funds is undeniable.”  “The first financial report detailing federal stimulus spending for Illinois is in, detailing more than $6.4 billion given to 6,100-plus recipients.  The beneficiaries include major research universities and public housing, cities with worn-out roads and unincorporated towns seeking cleaner water.  The money overhauled CTA stations and underwrote a study of artificial hips.  It let a Peoria health clinic keep a bilingual receptionist and hire a medical records clerk.  And it kept three actors working at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier.  Those three theater jobs are among an estimated 24,000 Illinois jobs saved or gained.” [Chicago Tribune, 11/24/09]

Illinois Department of Transportation will use Recovery Act funds to replace 31 gas-and diesel-powered buses with 31 hybrid-power buses.  “A Nevada City grant-writing firm helped the Illinois Department of Transportation and its partners land a $4 million federal grant to buy hybrid buses.  The Grant Farm helped attract federal stimulus monies to replace 31 gas- and diesel-powered buses with 31 hybrid-power buses.  The vehicles primarily are used by senior and disabled riders in Illinois.  The Grant Farm is working on $52 million in projects related to federal stimulus funds.  So far, $12 million of the proposals have been awarded.  Landing the contracts will help the firm hire new employees, CEO Shawn Garvey said.” [The Union, 11/20/09]

Recovery Act funded 279 summer jobs for youths in Rockford, Illinois.  “Even with a time extension and creative placements, officials in charge of the stimulus-funded summer youth jobs program still couldn’t find work for one-third of the enrollees… The program, funded by $1.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, sought to give 16- to 24-year-olds work readiness training and place them in summer jobs.  Their salaries were paid by the stimulus funding.  Of the 420 youth who enrolled, 279 eventually got jobs…’  Even if the youth weren’t placed in jobs, they still received work skills training during a weeklong orientation session, Williams said.  The sessions, which the youth were paid to attend, addressed resume writing, interview skills and workplace etiquette… Williams said enough funding remained to pay salaries through Dec. 31 if employees requested an extension.  One of those is Nakari Boose.  The 21-year-old Rockford resident has been working since Aug. 14 as an office intern at the Northern Illinois Minority Companies Association.  In three months, Boose has learned how to use Microsoft Office products, improved her typing to 48 words per minute and helped organize mailings for the association’s annual banquet… Boose’s supervisor, Excell Lewis, said the NIMCA board had reservations about taking on an intern.  They feared there wouldn’t be enough work, and that the mentoring tasks would distract staff from their own work.  The gamble paid off, however, and Lewis is hoping to find money to keep Boose employed into 2010.” [Business Rockford, 11/15/09]

Cook County businesses will use  at least 30 percent Recovery Act low-interest loans for projects in regions with low income or high unemployment rates.  “For at least a handful of businesses in Cook County seeking capital, the cavalry may be here.  More than $196 million in federal stimulus funds have been directed to the county in the form of tax-exempt bonds, which can be used to facilitate low-interest loans to qualifying businesses...  ‘We're basically a conduit,’ John Schneider, a county economic development official, told the Daily Herald.  ‘The company is doing something that helps with redevelopment and re-energizing jobs within the county.  They do their financing with a bank.’...  The county says it plans to use at least 30 percent of the funds for projects in regions with below-area median income or unemployment rates above 8.7 percent.” [NBC Chicago, 11/11/09]

Argonne National Lab will use Recovery Act funding to research solar energy.  “The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Argonne National Laboratory nearly $2.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for three solar-energy related research projects.  In addition, Argonne will share another $5 million in ARRA funding for projects with Commonwealth Edison Co., GridPoint and the University of Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC)... ‘This investment will help accelerate the use of solar energy by residents, businesses and communities, and promote the long-term viability of solar energy by investing in the technologies of the future,’ Energy Secretary Chu said.” [AZ Nanotechnology News, 11/5/09]

Naperville will be use Recovery Act funding to upgrade the city's electric service. “Naperville will be awarded $10.9 million to upgrade the city's electric service as part of a $3.4 billion renewable energy program President Barack Obama announced Tuesday.  The Naperville project is one of 100 nationally aimed at modernizing the nation's power grid and supporting renewable energy.… The grant will allow the city to deploy more than 57,000 smart meters and install the needed infrastructure.  The meters will allow consumers to follow in real-time the cost of electricity consumption, therefore getting them involved in lowering their costs by shifting their use of power.  As Poole explained, it is ‘cheaper to use power at night than during the peak time.’  The higher the demand, the higher the costs… The $3.4 billion in grants from the government's January economic stimulus program will be matched by $4.7 billion in private investments.  The smallest grant will be $400,000 and the largest $200 million... ” [Daily Herald, 10/28/09]

$71.7 million in  Recovery Act funded guaranteed loans will help rural businesses and strengthen rural communities throughout America.  “Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $71.7 million in loan guarantees to assist 20 rural businesses in funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The funding announced today is being made available through USDA Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.    ‘The Recovery Act funds announced today will help businesses get access to the capital they need to launch and expand their businesses and help bring additional jobs to America's small cities and towns,’ Vilsack said…   For example, in Georgetown, S.C., USDA Rural Development is guaranteeing a $3 million loan to enable a local gate and mounting-system company to restructure debt and purchase new machinery and equipment.  In Franklin County, Ohio, a farmer owned cooperative with local headquarters was selected to receive a $7.5 million loan guarantee.  The loan will help provide business services to more than 50,000 livestock farmers in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.  The Business and Industry loan will help the cooperative continue to maintain health insurance to its nearly 500 employees, many of whom live in counties with unemployment rates 125 percent greater than the national average and counties that have been affected recently by natural disasters.” [USDA.gov, 10/21/09]  

Recovery Act will help expand existing research projects at two Illinois medical school campuses and at the Simmons Cooper Cancer Institute at SIU; new personnel will be hired and equipment purchased.  “The research projects of 14 faculty members at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield and Carbondale were awarded grants totaling nearly $2.61 million by the National Institutes of Health.  The funds were granted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the expansion of existing projects and or new research in fields including aging, hearing, infectious diseases, cancer and neurobiology.  The grants are to be used to hire personnel and purchase supplies and equipment.  Most of the awardees are research scientists at the two medical school campuses, and several are members of the research team at the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU in Springfield. ” [St. Louis Business Journal, 10/21/09]

The Recovery Act will provide the City of Rockford an upgrade and rehabilitation of its public water supply.  “Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott announced grants and loans for environmental projects to improve wastewater quality in Illinois, using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)...   Rockford will receive nearly $7 million in the form of 20 year interest free loans with the first 25 percent of the principal provided forgiven by the State of Illinois under the terms of the ARRA.  The federal Recovery program provides a substantial increase in the clean water and drinking water low-interest revolving loan programs administered by Illinois EPA… The City of Rockford, located in Winnebago County, will receive $6,877,227 under the terms offered under the ARRA.  Using funding provided by the Illinois EPA’s Public Water Supply Loan Program, the City will do a major upgrade and rehabilitation of its public water supply.  The project will establish a system of 19 facilities that will together comprise the rehabilitated Rockford water system.  It will involve major improvements in the areas of water supply and treatment, water pumping and storage, water transmission and distribution, water system controls and monitoring, and water system operations.  When complete, this initiative will address frequent problems with water main breaks, water pressure, as well as a number of water quality issues… Illinois EPA receives approximately $180 million for wastewater projects and $80 million for drinking water projects through ARRA.”[WIFR News, 10/9/09]

Recovery Act will help nonprofit community health care providers that serve low-income and medically underserved populations transition to electronic records.  “Last week U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin and Roland Burris, D-Ill., announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services would award $750,000 to the Illinois Primary Health Care Association to aid its transition to electronic health records.  IPHCA represents community health centers — nonprofit community health care providers that provide low-income and medically underserved populations with primary and preventative care services such as dental, mental, x-ray, pharmacy and health and nutrition education.  The Springfield-based organization will receive the funding as part of $27.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds awarded nationwide to health centers and health center networks for health information technology.  Near North Health Services Corporation in Chicago was the other Illinois organization to receive economic stimulus funds for implementing electronic health records, in the amount of $746,671.  ‘Because they can be shared instantaneously with multiple doctors and can be transmitted hundreds of miles in seconds, electronic health records are an effective tool for improving the quality of health care and saving lives,’ Durbin said in a statement…. Dr. James Dove, president emeritus of Prairie Cardiovascular, says electronic health records eliminate error and boost efficiency.” [Illinois Times, 10/8/09]

$630,000 in Recovery Act grants will help construct sidewalks for Oak Grove schools, increasing student safety. “Bartonville Mayor Rhonda Wolfe heard from state Rep. Mike Smith, D-Canton, that the village was the recipient of $630,000 of federal economic stimulus money to help pay for those same sidewalks on the north side of Pfeiffer Road.  Students who attend Oak Grove East and West schools on Pfeiffer Road in Bartonville don't receive bus service.  ‘There is no physical barrier, like a curb, between pedestrians and the Pfeiffer Road traffic,’ said Cory Reid, the School Board president and an Oak Grove parent… The grant covers 80 percent of the total cost of the program.  Bartonville will have to come up with about $157,000 of its own.  ‘We'll find a way to fund that,’ Meyer said. ”[Peoria Journal Star, 9/22/09]

A $19 billion Recovery Act allocation is going toward rebuilding local roads, returning jobs to areas of Carlyle Lake and Rend Lake.  “Millions in the federal stimulus dollars are rebuilding metro-east highways and waterways and returning jobs to the area.  Approximately $19 million in stimulus money has helped refill job vacancies at southern Illinois recreational areas.  Both Carlyle Lake and Rend Lake have hired temporary employees.  [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman, George]  Stringham said three temporary full-time employees were hired to stay on through September 2010.  Another 10 temporary employees were hired this summer, and there are plans to hire 10 more temps next summer... Carlyle Lake hired 15 temporary employees and 13 were temporarily hired at Rend Lake to restore services to camp grounds.  According to the federal government's official stimulus-tracking Web site, www.recovery.gov, Illinois will have created and saved an estimated 148,000 jobs in the next two years.” [Belville News-Democrat, 9/21/09]

Recovery Act funds supported 7,300 summer jobs for Chicago youth.  “More than 19,000 youths worked this summer, thanks to the City of Chicago's summer job program for youths, Youth Ready Chicago, city officials said.  For students and young adults, ages 14 to 24, the city made available 19,100 summer jobs with various public and private agencies throughout Chicago.  Nearly $43 million from federal, state and private funds were made available to pay the workers for summer employment.  Federal stimulus funds - $17.3 million - afforded the city to add 7,300 additional spots to the program...” [The Chicago Defender, 9/18/09]

Illinois Institute of Technology applied for $60 million in Recovery Act resources to lower electricity bills, reduce blackouts, make energy cleaner and create green jobs. “Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) announced today a $120 million statewide initiative to speed the adoption of the Smart Grid in Illinois.  This initiative seeks to bring $60 million in federal stimulus money to Illinois to lower electricity bills, reduce blackouts, make energy cleaner and create green jobs... The collaboration is nationally significant in that it is working to speed the effective adoption of the Smart Grid through a unique community, consumer, and market-based approach.  With engagement at each of these levels, this project provides a format to ensure the expected benefits of Smart Grid adoption are widely adopted.  Benefits to Illinois:  Lower electricity bills through the Community Implementation model; blackout mitigation and elimination of other power interruptions for homes and businesses; Cleaner energy, and reduced carbon emission, by reducing peak demand for electricity.” [Chicago Press Release, 9/15/09]

Illinois Institute of Technology will direct Recovery Act funds to create green jobs, lower electricity bills, reduce blackouts, make energy cleaner.  “Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) announced today a $120 million statewide initiative to speed the adoption of the Smart Grid in Illinois.  IIT is leading the Illinois Smart Grid Collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago, Village of Oak Park, Galvin Electricity Initiative, and more than 50 companies to make Illinois a hub for the effective innovation, validation, deployment and evaluation of Smart Grid technology.  This initiative seeks to bring $60 million in federal stimulus money to Illinois to lower electricity bills, reduce blackouts, make energy cleaner and create green jobs. ’This Collaboration will help create an electrical grid that is secure and reliable,’ said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. ‘This investment will create jobs and ensure Illinois families and businesses have access to technology that will lower their energy use, and their energy costs.”  [Reuters 09/09/09]

Winnebago County will use Recovery Act funds to renovate affordable housing for elderly and disabled residents.  “The Winnebago County Housing Authority will get $2.3 million to renovate the Collier Gardens Apartments from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the federal stimulus package.  Winnebago County Housing Board Chairman Fred Wescott, who also represents the 9th District on the County Board, announced the grant during Thursday’s board meeting.  ‘We just found out this afternoon,’ Wescott said, adding that the Winnebago Housing Authority was one of 15 nationwide to share in $1 billion in grants.  ‘There are some big ones on the list, like Indianapolis, Seattle, and then little old Winnebago.’  The money, which is funneled through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be used to renovate the 150-unit apartment complex on Searles Avenue.  The apartments are available to people who are 62 or older and/or are disabled, with a household income of less than or equal to $35,650 for singles and $40,700 for two people.  Wescott said there is a waiting list every year for apartments.”[Rockford Register Star, 9/4/09] 

The number of jobs created or saved by the Recovery Act increased by more than 50 percent from June to July.  “The number of jobs created or saved by infrastructure projects funded by the U.S. economic stimulus plan increased by more than 50 percent in July from June, according to a report on Wednesday.  By the end of July, 77,470 jobs had been ‘created or sustained’ by water, highway and public transportation projects, compared to slightly less than 50,000 jobs at the end of June, said the report from a House of Representatives committee.  A single state, Illinois, accounted for nearly a fifth of the total by creating or sustaining 15,388 jobs, according to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee… California, which was given a large share of the infrastructure funds included in the $787 billion stimulus plan, tallied 10,146 jobs.  There have been 5,953 jobs created or sustained in Texas, which also received a significant portion of the transportation earmarks.” [Reuters, 9/2/09] 

Recovery Act will pay for schools in Illinois’ Community Unit District 300 to conduct mid-year testing to identify students’ problem areas and address them within the school year.  “This year, Hampshire, Jacobs and Dundee-Crown high schools will introduce a new test created by Scantron.  The computerized exam will test students' reading and math skills at the start, midpoint and end of the year.  The results, which will not factor in students' grades, will allow teachers to adjust their lessons to tackle specific weaknesses found by the test.  ‘With once-a-year state assessments, we can't show growth until we've lost those students,’ said Carole Cooper, director of accountability and assessment for District 300.  ‘What we want to do is to be able to show the public and the board that these students are learning - within the time frame of the school year.’ The high schools are set to start testing freshmen this year.  If educators are able to use the data to improve teaching during the course of a school year, students in higher grades will start taking the exam.  Terry Mootz, associate principal for curriculum and instruction at Dundee-Crown High School, said the test will enable the school to fine tune its teaching as it continues to implement a state-mandated restructuring plan… The test costs about $98,000 a year, according to the district, and will be paid for with federal stimulus funds.” [Daily Herald, 8/31/09] 

Calhoun County Will Use Recovery Act Funds to Resurface Road.  “During a news conference Tuesday at the Calhoun County Highway Department complex south of Hardin, County Engineer Barry Webster and Calhoun County Democratic Party Chairman Paul ‘Snow’ Herkert discussed additional federal funding for resurfacing the entire 13.46 miles of County Highway 1, as well as the effort to get the state of Illinois to take over maintenance of the road, because it is a through highway. Illinois Route 100 comes into Hardin, but once outside the city limits, it becomes County Highway 1 rather than continuing as a state highway. Webster said the county received $157,000 from the federal stimulus package, which will pay for resurfacing about one-half-mile of County Highway 1, starting from the Hardin village limits.  Hare has secured the $475,000 from the omnibus appropriations; Webster said that would pay for resurfacing about another 2 to 3 miles of the road.  The estimated cost of resurfacing County Highway 1, upgrading it to accommodate 80,000-pound truck loads, is $3 million, leaving about an additional $2.5 million to complete the project.” [The Telegraph, 9/1/09] 

Recovery Act incentives are jump-starting government-backed loans to small Chicago-area firms, creating almost a year’s worth of activity in the last few months.  “Federal stimulus incentives are jump-starting government-backed loans to small Chicago-area firms, creating almost a year’s worth of activity in the last few months... Last year’s credit crisis brought SBA-backed lending to a near-standstill... The $787-billion stimulus package set aside $733 million for SBA loan incentives, immediately waiving borrowers’ fees that typically run about $53,000 for a $2-million loan.  Since February, Illinois borrowers have  saved $4.8 million in fees on 861 loans totaling $351.3 million, counting all types of SBA loans… The stimulus also raised the SBA’s guarantee to 90%, up from 75% to 85%, allowing banks to make bigger, riskier loans than they otherwise could with regulators urging them to be more cautious.  ‘That 90% loan guarantee has been a godsend,’ said Jeff Scott, executive vice-president in the Schaumburg office of First Colorado National Bank, the second-biggest SBA lender in Illinois by dollar amount.  ‘We were effectively shut down for four or five months.’  In Illinois, two-thirds of this year’s deals, in terms of loan volume and number of loans, have come in the last six months, after the federal stimulus package was enacted.’” [Crain’s Chicago Business, 8/29/09] 

University of Chicago will use Recovery Act Funds to Research Nuclear Physics. “UChicago Argonne LLC, Chicago, won a $13,260,000 federal contract modification from the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Locations, Chicago, for an additional research in nuclear physics and for advanced scientific computing research under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” [Targeted News Service, 8/29/09] 

Sangamon County is using Recovery Act money to create new programs to help people cover a variety of expenses, from school clothes to dental bills.  “Helping low-income families buy new school clothes is one way Sangamon County is using federal stimulus money to help people in need.  With the infusion of stimulus cash, the county Community Resources Office has created programs to help people cover the costs of school clothes or dental bills, among other expenses.  And some existing programs, such as one that helps people pay the cost of going to and from work, are being expanded.  The new initiatives also include a voucher program that pays for copies of birth certificates for people who want to enroll their children in the Springfield School District’s Early Start program.”[The State Journal Register, 8/27/09] 

The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates that the recovery act has funded 21,000 hours of work.  “The federal stimulus package put John Viveros back to work.  A construction worker without anything to build, he didn’t have a steady job from December until May.  He kept busy with the occasional odd job, but nothing like the 60-hour work weeks he was used to… Then, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act brought about $6 million in road work to Winnebago and Boone counties. Since May, those projects have provided 21,000 hours of work — the equivalent of more than 40 full-time jobs, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation… Dal Santo estimates that as many as 30 members of his local went from no work to getting at least some because of the stimulus. Others increased their workload… Viveros, the construction worker, is one of several people who are raising more than 200 manholes along the resurfaced stretch of Illinois 2 in downtown Rockford. He looks forward to other work — building projects, utility pipelines and other roads. But he said he and his co-workers are glad the stimulus package gave them something to do in the meantime.” [BusinessRockford.com, 8/23/09] 

Canton, Illinois awarded A Recovery Act funded grant to build infrastructure for a bio-medical manufacturing facility and business park, creating up to 300 jobs.  “A $1.6 million grant of federal stimulus funds has been awarded to the City of Canton to help build infrastructure for a bio-medical manufacturing facility and business park, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced Monday.  Mayor Kevin Meade said the grant, which Canton applied for, will be used for curb and gutter work, a water run-off system and roads at the former International Harvester site for the Cook Canton project, according to reports.  Meade said the infrastructure projects will help not only the Cook site but make the entire development more attractive to other potential businesses.  The project, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is expected to create additional jobs and generate private investment in the region, Locke said.  He added, ‘The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and improving our nation’s economic competitiveness.  This grant will help diversify the Canton area’s economy and create new higher-skilled, higher-wage jobs in the bio-medical sector.”[The Daily Ledger, 8/18/09]  

Illinois Will Use Recovery Act Funds to Construct New Bridge.  “Officials from Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration announced that the project along Interstates 55/70 at their interchange with Illinois Route 162 near Troy will begin Monday.  The $23.5 million project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will be utilized for the removal of the existing bridge at the interchange, construction of a new bridge and a single-point interchange to increase the fluid movement of traffic.  The existing frontage roads also will be relocated, new traffic signals will be added and the installation of new lighting will accommodate the entire interchange reconstruction project. ‘We’re happy to announce that this project will eventually save time, reduce fuel costs for motorists and, most importantly, improve safety in the area,’ IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig said. ‘This highway project is one of many statewide funded by ARRA that has helped put contractors back to work and improve the quality of life for Illinois residents.’” [The Telegraph, 8/14/09] 

Fermilab “extremely grateful” for stimulus grant that will enable particle collider research.  “If they could, Fermilab officials would send out a big thank-you note.  ‘We are extremely grateful to the taxpayers of our country for this opportunity,’ said Judy Jackson, Fermilab communications director, after the Batavia physics laboratory received word Tuesday that it will be getting an additional $60.2 million as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Fermilab has already received $43 million in stimulus funds.  More than $57 million will be used on developing new technology for a particle collider to replace Fermi's Tevatron... ‘It really is critical to the laboratory's future,’ she said.”[Chicago Daily Herald, 8/5/09]

Nearly 40 Recovery Act-funded transportation projects are planned in DuPage County.  “An infusion of federal stimulus money is a significant reason why motorists are seeing so much orange on DuPage County's roads this construction season.  While towns throughout the county had to scale back on capital projects this year because of budget cuts, the Illinois Department of Transportation received a $936 million boost from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  As a result, the state is able to do nearly 40 projects in DuPage, including the resurfacing of Route 53 in Lombard and the resurfacing of Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove.  ‘If they didn't have the stimulus bill, they wouldn't have as many projects going on as they do,’ said Chuck Tokarski, DuPage County's engineer.” [Chicago Daily Herald, 8/1/09]

Sangamon County scheduled to triple home weatherization using Recovery Act apportionment.  “Sangamon County hopes to weatherize 250 to 270 homes this year — about three times the number of applicants it helped last year — with its influx of federal stimulus funds for the program… The national program, which pays to install insulation in the homes of income-eligible applicants, is receiving $4.7 billion in stimulus funds — more than 10 times the $447 million originally planned by Congress this year.  A total of $227 million was spent on the program in 2008.  Illinois will receive about $97 million for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program this year, and $242.5 million over three years, said John Coglan, vice president for public policy for the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies.” [State Journal Register, 7/25/09]

Illinois rolled out a first time homebuyers incentive program to advance use of Recovery Act cash.  “The Illinois Housing Development Authority program rolled out its Illinois Home Start Loan Program Wednesday.  It provides qualifying homebuyers with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA loan and up to $6,000 toward a down payment.  The state agency will advance a portion of the $8,000 federal tax credit created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Qualifying first-time homebuyers are currently set to receive the $8,000 federal tax credit next year after completing their 2009 individual income tax return.” [Crain’s Chicago Business, 7/22/09]

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency was given Recovery Act money to reduce diesel emissions from 675 vehicles.  “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $4.2 million to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to clean up on-and off-road diesel vehicles and equipment in the state, the federal agency said Tuesday.  The funds, provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, are part of the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.  The award was given through a funding competition that drew 81 grant applications requesting more than $211 million; the Illinois award was chosen to maximize both economic impact and emissions reductions, the federal EPA said.  The cleanup will affect 675 eligible diesel vehicles or engines in 21 fleets, the EPA said. Twelve of the projects, with 521 vehicles, will occur in either Chicago or in Metro-East areas that do not meet national outdoor air quality standards.” [St. Louis Business Journal, 7/21/09]

450 Illinois students enrolled in Recovery Act-sponsored employment and training program.  “Thalia Reyes, 16, is spending her summer making new friends, earning money and learning job skills as she explores nature on the site of a former auto-racing track.  ‘This has been a real good work experience,’ said Reyes, taking a break this week from clearing brush and pulling up non-native plants at the 330-acre Raceway Woods in Carpentersville… The Larkin High School senior said she is learning things she never would have experienced thanks to the youth employment program administered through Elgin Community College and the Kane County Department of Employment and Education.  The work is being funded through a $2.1 million allocation from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act. This summer the program has placed 450 students between the ages of 16 and 21 at 375 job sites in Kane, DeKalb and Kendall Counties, said Dee Reinhardt, a Kane marketing coordinator.” [Chicago Tribune, 7/17/09]

Chicago Transit Authority saw first of 58 hybrid buses financed with portion of $241 million Recovery Act grant.  “The Chicago Transit Authority has received its first articulated hybrid bus purchased with federal stimulus funds.  The CTA is scheduled to receive $241 million in stimulus money.  They have ordered 58 buses, which are set to arrive by this fall.  The buses are in addition to the 150 articulated hybrid buses already in its fleet… The CTA says hybrid buses are quieter, cleaner and run more smoothly. It's estimated that the hybrid technology will help save the agency more than $7 million annually.”[WLS – ABC, 7/6/09]

Senator Durbin announced targeting of $37 million to Illinois health clinics through Recovery Act capital improvements program.  “Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that 36 community health centers in Illinois will receive $ 37,435,380 in grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… With these new funds, health centers will be to address immediate and pressing facility and equipment needs and create some much needed health center and construction-related jobs.”  Senator Durbin:  “Last year, over 1.1 million people in Illinois were treated at community health centers which administer health care to low-income families, many without health insurance.  Today’s funding will support this critically important work and lead to economic growth in many underserved communities as health centers serve as a key source of local employment and economic activity.”[Press Release – Senator Dick Durbin, 6/30/09]