City of West Chicago, Illinois

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City Expands Grant Program to Boost Downtown Retail & Restaurant Growth 

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In an effort to increase retail and restaurant activity in the heart of West Chicago, the Downtown Retail & Restaurant Business Grant Program has been revised.  

Originally established in 2013, the program has awarded only one grant in its history, which was just recently reimbursed with the opening of Raised Bakery and Cafe. As a result of the underutilization of the original program, significant changes have been made to the Program to better attract and support new and existing businesses in downtown West Chicago. 

These revisions align with the City’s broader commitment to revitalizing its downtown and come on the heels of the recent announcement of the new Downtown Investment Program. Both programs align with the City’s goals focused on activating the downtown outlined in the Economic Development Plan, Strategic Plan, and Comprehensive Plan. 

Details of the Program are available in both English and Spanish, on the City’s website. 

Program Purpose 

Complementing the Downtown Investment Program which offers property improvement incentives, the revised Downtown Retail & Restaurant Grant Program aims to help downtown businesses thrive by offering financial assistance for services that enhance their operations and presence. The grant supports services tied to business development, marketing, and growth, helping new and existing retailers and restaurants strengthen their business models. 

Program Overview 

The revised program offers several enhancements to make it more impactful for local businesses: 

  • Expanded Eligible Expenses: In addition to traditional marketing and advertising services, funding is available for expenses such as retail consulting, visual merchandising, online sales platforms, and website development. 
  • Streamlined Approval Process: The approval process is more efficient with the elimination of the Selection Committee. 
  • Business Plan Requirement: Applicants are still required to submit a business plan but will need to demonstrate how the requested funds will support their long-term success. 
  • Increased Support for Existing Businesses: Existing retailers and restauranteurs are now eligible for up to $5,000 in funding, which was previously only available for new businesses. 

Program Eligibility 

The revised Downtown Retail & Restaurant Grant Program is available to retailers and restaurants located on the first floor within the Downtown TIF District. The program is intended to assist new and existing businesses that are committed to improving their operations, enhancing their customer experience, and making a positive impact on the downtown district. 

Program Funding & Budget 

Grants are reimbursement-based, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. New businesses or businesses expanding in the downtown area can receive up to $10,000, while existing businesses may receive up to $5,000. The revised program, effective as of January 1, 2025, has a $30,000 budget for fiscal year 2025, funded through the Downtown TIF #2 Fund.  

How to Apply 

Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to City staff to learn more about the revised program and how it can support their business. A pre-application meeting is highly recommended to ensure the proposed services align with the program’s goals and eligibility requirements. 

To schedule a meeting, please contact Kelley Chrisse at (630) 818-3331 or email kchrisse@westchicago.org. 

West Chicago Awarded Grant to Boost Community Tree Canopy

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The City of West Chicago has been awarded a $300,000 grant from The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to improve the community tree canopy. This competitive grant is one of nearly 40 awarded to nonprofits, government entities, and other eligible groups through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and CRTI.

The grant, which requires no matching funds, supports initiatives aimed at increasing tree canopy, improving forest health, and strengthening community forestry programs. It can fund projects such as tree planting and management plans in both urban and rural areas, improving forestry efficiency and supporting local economies through enhanced infrastructure and workforce development.

To maximize the impact of this funding, the City plans to introduce a contractual fall tree planting program for 2025, 2026, and 2027. The program will complement the existing spring planting initiative, diversify the tree canopy by introducing species better suited to fall planting, and target the planting of approximately 450-500 new trees. The City will allocate $100,000 annually for the program, with the goal of planting and maintaining these trees within the City rights-of-way. According to the 2023 tree inventory, there are approximately 900 open planting spaces.

Lead Service Line Replacement Project Environmental Impact Comment Period

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Please note: This content was updated on Friday, February 7 to provide the results from the written public comment period.

A public hearing was held during the regular City Council meeting on Monday, January 20. The original Public Hearing Notice was published on Monday, January 6 in the Daily Herald.

The City is seeking a long-term loan, with an estimated interest rate of 0%, from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) Public Water Supply Loan Program to replace existing lead service lines with new copper lines. The total estimated project cost is $14.4 million.

Prior to final approval of the project plan and funding, the public's comments are sought regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed project.  For those who were unable to attend the public hearing, written comments could be submitted by Friday, January 31.

The written public comment period yielded the following questions:

  • Can you confirm that, should replacement be necessary at a residential property, there will be ZERO COST to the homeowner?
    •  All work performed by a Contractor for replacement of the service line as part of this project will be at no cost to the homeowner.
  • Please define GRR. I don't see a definition on either the inventory map or within the plan. Does GRR line require replacement?
    • The definition of a galvanized service line requiring replacement (GRR) is a galvanized service line that is or was at any time downstream of a lead service line (LSL) or is currently downstream of an unknown lead status service line. Service lines identified as GRR must be replaced. Replacement of a GRR will follow the same procedure as a lead service line replacement. All work performed by a Contractor for replacement of the service line as part of this project will be at no cost to the homeowner.

The Preliminary Environmental Impacts Determination document provided by the IEPA along with the Lead Service Line Project Summary and the City's Lead Service Line Replacement Plan are available below.

These documents are also available for review at the City of West Chicago Water Treatment Plant, located at 1400 West Hawthorne Lane, during normal business hours from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

How to Provide Written Public Comments

Written comments can be submitted by Friday, January 31 to the following addresses:

City of West Chicago
Attn: Executive Office Manager
475 Main Street
West Chicago, Illinois 60185

Illinois EPA, Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section
Attn: Brandon Huffman, Project Manager
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276

Additionally, the City has provided an option for written comments to be submitted digitally through the City’s website. To use this option, please enter your comment below and click submit. All entries are anonymous unless contact information is provided, which is not required.

The deadline to submit comments has closed as of 11:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31. Thank you.

City Launches New Program to Encourage Investment and Activate Downtown

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In its ongoing commitment to downtown revitalization, the City has launched a new program designed to incentivize private investment, attract businesses, and energize the heart of West Chicago. In the spring of 2024, the City’s Economic Development Commission began shaping the Downtown Investment Program to align the City’s goals focused on activating the downtown outlined in the Economic Development Plan, Strategic Plan, and Comprehensive Plan. This new program combines physical property improvements incentives from the former Facade Improvement Program and the Retail and Restaurant Grant Program into a single grant offering. 

Details of the Program are available in both English and Spanish, on the City’s website. 

Program Purpose  

The Downtown Investment Program builds upon ongoing revitalization efforts by supporting the preservation, modernization, and enhancement of the commercial core through reimbursement grants. By supporting property improvements, the City aims to increase property values, strengthen the local economy, and create a more appealing downtown for businesses, residents, and visitors.  

Downtown Investment Program Overview  

Designed with simplicity and impact in mind, the Downtown Investment Program offers key features to help property and business owners make meaningful improvements: 

  • Expanded Project Scope: The program encourages larger-scale interior and exterior renovations while also supporting smaller, maintenance-focused projects, making it accessible for more improvements. 
  • Increased Funding: Grant awards for eligible improvements have been significantly increased, from $30,000 to a maximum of $75,000, enabling more impactful investment in downtown properties. 
  • Support for Historic Preservation: New funding, not included in previous programs, offers grants of up to $100,000 for projects that preserve historically significant or landmarked buildings, helping maintain West Chicago's character while enabling modern improvements. 
  • Faster Approvals for Smaller Projects: Eligible smaller projects (up to $5,000) benefit from an expedited approval process that does not require City Council approval, allowing work to begin sooner. 

Additionally, the City is compiling a list of local contractors ready to assist program participants, simplifying the process and helping property owners connect with contractors to get started. Contractors interested in being included on this list can contact Kelley Chrisse at (630) 818-3331 or email kchrisse@westchicago.org. 

Program Eligibility   

The Downtown Investment Program is available to commercial and mixed-use properties within the Downtown TIF District. Grants provide reimbursements for eligible interior and exterior improvements that enhance property value, preserve historic integrity, and improve the overall downtown environment. Streetscape enhancements and design fees related to projects are also eligible for reimbursement.  

Program Funding & Budget  

The program became effective on January 1, 2025, with an initial budget of $125,000. Additional funding may be made available if demand exceeds the budget. Initially funded through the General Fund, future funding for this program is intended to come from the Downtown TIF Fund. 

How to Apply  

Interested applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting with City staff to explore how the program can benefit their project. By starting the conversation early, property owners can ensure that their proposed improvements align with the program’s goals and eligibility requirements.  

To schedule a meeting, please call Kelley Chrisse at (630) 818-3331 or email kchrisse@westchicago.org.