Is Your Community in Need of Rail Improvement Projects? Look No Further! |
Pictured: The City of Harvey on 147th Street near Wood Street |
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.
This new competitive discretionary grant program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be administered by the FRA. The Railroad Crossing Elimination Program will fund projects that create grade separations – such as overpasses and underpasses – as well as closures, track relocations, and improvement or installation of warning devices at crossings if related to a separation or relocation project.
"In too many communities across America, outdated railroad crossings are unsafe, result in lengthy wait times, and can even create significant delays in our supply chains. With resources from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can improve rail crossings and help people and goods get where they need to go more safely", said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
On Tuesday, July 19 the FRA joined the Illinois Commerce Commission and SSMMA toured selected railroad crossings in the South Suburbs. These locations were selected by the FRA as needing improvements and eligible for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.
Requirements for this grant opportunity can be found here. The application deadline is October 4, 2023. Municipalities that need additional information or letters of support can contact Leslie Rauer (Phemister) at leslie.phemister@ssmma.org.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
Transportation Committee Meeting- September 6 at 2:00pm
Housing Collaborative Meeting- September 8 at 9:00am
Date Change: SSMMA Business Meeting has been rescheduled from September 16 to September 29 at 6:00pm due to IML Conference
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• As of July 29, Suburban Cook County's positivity rate reports as medium according to the CDC level.
• Find regional vaccination rates and vaccine clinics directly at ssmmacovid.org.
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Community Vaccination Information |
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• CCDPH will host vaccination clinics on August 3 at United Christ Church in Country Club Hills from 10:00am-2:00pm. Children at least 6 months old are now eligible.
• Organizations can request COVID-19 PPE and other resources from CCDPH. Learn more.
• Will County Health Department offers vaccination clinics for residents. Learn more.
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Business & Residential Resources |
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• Governor Pritzker Announces $60 Million Competitive Grant Program for Early Childhood Construction in Illinois. Grant applications are due October 10. Learn more.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offers a list of FY23 grant opportunities for eligible organizations. Learn more.
• Check out the latest list of Federal and DCEO grant opportunities here
• Will County offers resources for residents and businesses impacted by the pandemic.
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News from Community Partners |
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State Rep Marcus Evans and Mayor Thaddeus Jones to Host Shredding Event |
• State Rep Marcus Evans and Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones will host a paper and electronic shredding event on Saturday, July 30.
• This event will take place at Calumet City Public Safety Training Center 24 State Street Calumet City, IL 60409 from 10:00am until 1:00pm.
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State Senator Patrick Joyce to Host Shred Event |
• State Senator Joyce will host a document shredding event for residents to shred documents with personal information.
• This event will be held on August 4 from 11:00am-4:00pm at South Chicago Heights Senior Parking Lot 3317 Chicago Rd. South Chicago Heights, IL.
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• Nicor Gas will be hosting a job fair on August 6 at the Sauk Village municipal center from 9:00am-1:00pm.
• Join Nicor Gas to learn about great job opportunities, free energy resources and community assistance programs.
• All levels of experience are welcome!
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• The Active Transportation Alliance and Illinois Public Health Institute are working in partnership with IDOT to host a 3-part webinar series to help communities apply for funding from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.
• This grant will provide $125 million in state and federal funding for walking, biking, and trail projects around the state.
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EPA Announces Grant Opportunity for to Reduce PFA's Chemicals in Drinking Water |
• The Environmental Protection Agency is inviting states and territories to apply for $1 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding. Small or disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply.
• Interested applicants should submit a letter of intent by August 15.
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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Requests Feedback for Storm Water Survey |
• MWRD is conducting a survey to understand the needs and issues in your municipality, township, or jurisdiction related to stormwater. Survey responses will be used to identify improvements MWRD can make to their Stormwater Partnership Programs.
• Access the survey here.
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Job Postings & Requests for Proposals |
• Municipalities and organizations can send job openings and proposals here to be publicly posted.
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SPC News
SPC to Conduct Ambulance Vendor Showcase
- The next step in the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Fire Core Cost Containment Committee’s work to develop specifications for the Type I Additional Duty Ambulance program is to conduct a vehicle showcase for potential vendors. To that end, the committee will meet to review the vehicles at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19 at the MABAS Readiness Center, 233 W. Hintz Road in Wheeling.
- After their review, the committee will finalize the Request For Proposals to award a new contract. We thank the following committee members for their hard work in developing this important program: Thornton Fire Chief Art Schweitzer; Richton Park Fire Chief Mick Smith; and, Glenwood Fire Chief Kevin Welsh.
SPC Vehicle Program Update
- Staff recently held discussions with Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) vehicle program vendors and was advised that the already bleak outlook for vehicle production is worsening. While some orders received in 2021 may still be scheduled for production, vehicle makers may either cancel the orders outright or decline to turn them over to be rescheduled. Additionally, most government vehicles that would normally be produced by Ford, Chevy and Dodge may not be produced for 2023 at all. Some industry analysts suggest that the best bet is to wait until 2024 as supply chain issues may not be fully resolved until then.
- The SPC requested rollovers from General Motors on 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Patrol Package (Contract #185) and Silverado Regular Cab 1500 Work Truck (Contract #186), but were informed that those vehicles will not be produced in 2022. In addition, the Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 Door Hatchback (Contract #175) may not be produced for government and commercial orders. Of the 600 SPC Ford Police Interceptor Utilities (Contract #204) currently on order with Currie Motors, approximately 200 have been built. Ford Super Duty Trucks that have been on order since July 2021 may be canceled by the manufacturer, who plans to release new specifications by the end of 2022 or early 2023.
- There will be a limited production of 2023 Ford Transit Full Size Van, Passenger Wagon and E-Transit Vans (Contract #207), with the chance that 2022 orders may also be canceled in the government and commercial sectors. Staff will continue to stay on top of this issue and will send additional information as events warrant.
Click here f or more information about the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative and to view the current SPC Catalog.
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Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.
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