Funds for an organization to improve its workforce development facilities, money to replace lead pipes and assistance bringing Lake Michigan water to a village miles away, are all part of the latest round of funding from the federal government impacting Lake County.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act Wednesday in Washington which included approximately $13 million for Lake County as part of the community-funding projects individual members requested for their districts.
Recommendations for the approved funding came from U.S. Reps. Brad Schneider, D- Highland Park, Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, and Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, who all represent parts of Lake County.
Schneider, who represents the largest portion of the county, was responsible for approximately $10.2 million for 11 projects, Schakowsky helped bring in nearly $2.6 million and Quigley $350,000.
The money appropriated to community-funding projects was approximately a third of what it was for the past fiscal year, when around $39.5 million was distributed, and about half of what it was the year before that at more than $22 million.
Schneider said the latest projects were for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. In the past he said his recommendations were approved in full, but this time many were reduced as they were for numerous requests.
“This was the first time (since the program was established) we were in the minority,” Schneider said. “There was a Republican majority. They drew a line.”
Of the 16 requests made by Schneider, Schakowsky and Quigley for projects in Lake County, seven were for $959,752, according to information provided by their offices. They include two in Waukegan — one for workforce development and another for lead pipe replacement — and one in Long Grove.
Yvette Ewing, the co-founder and executive director of the Community Works in Waukegan, said her organization is the recipient of one of the $959,752 grants. It will be used to complete renovations of 9,000 square feet on the second floor of the organization’s building.
She said the second-floor space will become a banquet facility, and an area where young people will develop skills related to filmmaking, carpentry, electrician work and computer skills.
“This is so awesome,” Ewing said. “It is a blessing.”
Waukegan is undergoing a years-long lead pipe replacement project to switch old, unhealthy pipes to copper in the city’s older homes and buildings. Mayor Ann Taylor said in a statement the $959,752 is welcome. She said it will be used, “to advance Waukegan’s lead service line replacement program, especially around schools and area residences.”
“Waukegan is an environmental justice community that is committed to ensuring that residents have access to clean and fresh drinking water,” Taylor said.
Water from Lake Michigan will now be going to Long Grove via Buffalo Grove, due in part to another $959,752 allocation. Long Grove Village President Bill Jacob said a commercial and residential area near Sunset Foods will be moved from well water to Lake Michigan water.
Other $959,752 grants are going to upgrade a wastewater treatment facility in Vernon Hills, the Seminar Ravine in Lake Forest, water main replacement in Wildwood, water infrastructure improvements in Wonder Lake and Highland Park’s water treatment plant.
Additional projects include a proposed arts and business center in Mundelein, renovations at the HACES Educational Center Facility in Waukegan, traffic lights on Washington Street in Waukegan and Gurnee, and public works needs in Round Lake.
Funding will also go to the JCC of Chicago’s Lake Zurich facility, a utility project in Hawthorn Woods, help for the Ela Township Emergency Operating Center and the Flint Creek restoration project in Lake Barrington.