“These grants are invaluable to local communities feeling the sting of the struggling economy and loss of business due to the county’s oppressive sales tax,” said Peraica.  “With these grants, villages do not have to raise taxes, sell bonds or allow their infrastructure to decay.”

Peraica noted that the CDBG’s are to be used for infrastructure improvements by local municipalities.  They help to offset village expenses, and ensure that the suburban taxpayers get a fair return on the tax dollars they pay into county government.

“In a perfect world, county government would take less in taxes, leaving villages in better financial health, and making these grants unnecessary,” added Peraica.  “But I fought for these grants because – without meaningful tax relief – they are the only way to return hard-earned tax dollars to these local communities.”

Following is a full listing of the CDBG’s in the 16th District:

• Access Community Health Network  ($50,000): Install 3 HVAC Systems and power and gas lines at Des Plaines Valley Health Center.
• Aspire of Illinois ($175,000): Replace 49 windows and 3 doors at various locations.
• Berwyn ($1,375,439): IL-FY09 Allocations
• Berwyn ($444,300): Energy Efficient Entitelement Communities
• Cicero ($1,440,195): IL-FY09 Allocations
• Cicero ($727,300): Energy Efficient Entitelement Communities
• City of Countryside  ($50,000): Street Reconstruction: Sunset Avenue from 74th to north of 75th Street (930 l.f.)
• City of Northlake  ($300,000): Watermain Replacement
• City of Northlake  ($150,000): American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Community Support Services, Inc. ($28,000): ADA Compliance at various locations.
• Countryside  ($50,000): Street Construction: Sunset Avenue from 74th Street to north of 75th Street. (930 l.f)
• Forest Preserve District ($100,000): Funds for ADA compliant washroom improvements
• Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center ($32,500): Reconstruct doorway entrance and install elevator for ADA compliance
• Pillars Community Services ($20,000): Partial salaries for one Bi-lingual certified Addictions Counselor and one Outreach
• Seguin Services ($105,400): Rehabilitate bathrooms in three CILA facilities.
• Stickney Township ($69,000): Reconstruct east-west alley lying south of 71st Street between Harlem Avenue and Nottingham Avenue
• Village of Broadview  ($90,000): Watermain improvements and installation.
• Village of Forest Park  ($170,000): Reconstruct deteriorated alley.
• Village of Forest Park  ($80,000): Green Alley Project
• Village of Franklin Park ($75,000): Energy Efficient Entitelement Communities
  
• Village of Franklin Park  ($75,000): Energy conservation at the Municipal Building
• Village of Hodgkins  ($100,000): Installation of new 250 watt energy and lighting efficient street light poles and luminaries.
• Village of La Grange  ($45,000): Public Facility – Lighting and HVAC
• Village of Lyons ($100,000): Reconstruct 45th Street, from Riverside Avenue to Lawndale Avenue.
• Village of Melrose Park ($80,000): Reconstruct alleys on Walton and Iowa (280 l.f.)
• Village of Schiller Park ($100,000): Replace 1,000 l.f of deteroirated handrail at Lawrence Avenue viaduct
• Village of Stone Park ($150,500): Reconstruct 35th Avenue through 36th Avenue alley from Lemoyne Street to Soffel Avenue
• Village of Summit ($143,000): Street lighting project referred to Energy Grant
• West Suburban Senior Services ($30,000): This project proposes to replace HVAC system at OARS center 712 East Elm, La Grange.
  

Tony Peraica has served as the commissioner for the west surbuban 16th District since 2002.  An attorney and small business owner, Peraica resides in Riverside with a district office in Westchester.  Visit his official Web site at www.CommissionerPeraica.com.