SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced applications are now being accepted for grants through the Boat Access Area Development grant program. The deadline to apply is Oct. 2, 2020.

The Boat Access program is a state-financed grant program that provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public boat and canoe access areas in Illinois. The program can provide up to 100 percent reimbursement funding assistance on approved development project costs and 90 percent reimbursement on land acquisition costs. The local agency must demonstrate and possess the ability to finance the costs of an approved project prior to receipt of grant funds. This program is funded through a percentage of the state’s marine motor fuel tax and registration fees.

The program is managed in Illinois by the IDNR and applications must be submitted to the IDNR by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2020. The Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at: https://www.illinois.gov/sites/gata/Pages/default.aspx.

Consult the IDNR website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/AEG/Pages/Grant-Administration.aspx for more information, or call the IDNR Grants main line at 217-782-7481.

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/IDNR-Accepting-Applications-for--Boat-Access-Area-Development-Program-Grants.aspx

To reduce the possibility of COVID-19 cases, the downtown branch of the Cook County Assessor’s Office is closed to the public for two weeks beginning on Monday, August 17, 2020.

Services are still accessible online. Additionally, over the phone appointments can be scheduled and in-person appointments are still available at the Markham and Skokie branch offices. Regular contact by email, phone and social media is also available. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Calling all South Side business owners! Are you interested in a chance to win prizes up to $8,000? Has your business added value to your life, the life of your family, a community, or an industry? If this sounds like you, be sure to apply for the 7th annual South Side Pitch virtual competition by August 24. 

CHICAGO – Illinoisans across the state have faced financial struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic — but those on Chicago’s South Side have been disproportionately affected. Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is urging those residents to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program.

“People desperately need help with rent,” Hunter said. “Though residents can’t get evicted right now, they will still need to pay their rent at some point. It’s my hope the program will help those who have been unemployed or not receiving income due to COVID-19 to catch up on their bills.”

Earlier this week, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced $150 million in available funds to help residents across the state during this national emergency by introducing the largest housing assistance program in the nation.

Tenants whose applications are approved will receive one-time grants of up to $5,000 paid directly to their landlords to cover missed rent payments beginning March 2020 and prepay payments through December 2020, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first. 

Tenants are eligible if:

• Their household income before March 1, 2020 was at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, 
• An adult member of the household had a loss of income due to the COVID-19 crisis on or after March 1, 2020; or
• A household has an unpaid rent balance that began on or after March 1, 2020.

 “Helping people most in need is what the government is supposed to do,” Hunter said. “I’m proud our state is able to do something impactful during this time.”

Residents who are eligible may apply online at era.idha.org. Applications for ERA will be accepted now through Aug. 21.

Please note, applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the application window may close early due to high volume.