June 16, 2023
www.ssmma.org
The Village of Dixmoor Breaks Ground on New Water Main Infrastructure
This week, the Village of Dixmoor, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, along with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, and the Army Corps of Engineers, gathered to break ground on Dixmoor's water infrastructure project. The project is part of the Cook and Lake County Environmental Infrastructure 219 project and has been allocated $2 million in federal funding.

The proposed project will involve replacing the existing 8-inch water main with approximately 3,700 feet of new 12-inch main, extending from Seeley Avenue, south under the I-57 overpass, and east to 143rd Street. Additionally, five existing water mains will be capped in various areas throughout the region. The groundbreaking ceremony held this week was an opportunity for local officials, community leaders, and residents to celebrate this significant milestone.

We are thrilled to see work begin on this critical project,” said President Preckwinkle. “This is the first step in securing the future and safety of the people of the Village of Dixmoor. The issue of water accessibility is a significant one and it will take every level of government to ensure our residents continue to have access to the resources they need. Today is a shining example of intergovernmental partnership and proof that when we come together, much can be accomplished.

The completion of this project will provide residents with a more reliable and efficient water supply. Dixmoor's investment in infrastructure development reflects a commitment to the long-term sustainability and well-being of its residents and will provide a future of improved water services for years to come.

"I want to thank Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, the US Corps of Engineers, Melanie Arnold and the team at Robinson Engineering, our Village Trustees, our clerk Juanita Darden, and our Village Administrator Quandra Craig, and our public works department for all of the hard work they did to bring this project to fruition," said Dixmoor Village President Fitzgerald Roberts.

"We are making real progress in addressing our community's long-standing water issues. It has been and will continue to be a team effort to get our residents the stable and reliable water supply they need and deserve. We have had a lot of difficult days in Dixmoor in the past, but today is a good day thanks to our amazing team."

To learn more, read Cook County Government's press release here.
Business & Residential Resources
• The Cook County Small Small Business Source offers a network of over 30 organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses. Learn more.

• Illinois Small Business Grants are now open for 2023-2024. Learn more.

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers a list of grants. Learn more.

• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offers a list of FY24 grant opportunities for eligible organizations. Learn more.

• Check out the latest list of Federal and DCEO grant opportunities here.

• Check out Will County's small business assistance resource page.
News from Community Partners
Start Planning Your Summer Activities!
The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau provides information on summer events such as concerts, festivals, farmer's markets, art shows, and theater performances happening throughout the south suburban region!

View their full calendar of events here.
The Cook County Department of Environment & Sustainability is Hiring!
The Cook County Dept. of Environment & Sustainability is currently accepting applications for 6 open positions.

These current job openings include 2 positions for Environment, Sustainability & Resilience Initiatives Program Managers and 4 open positions for Environmental Control Engineers.


Help to Identify Bicycle or Pedestrian Safety Issues in Your Community
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking public feedback for information on unsafe routes and areas in local neighborhoods for bicyclists.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will use the data to inform a vulnerable road user assessment.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program
IEPA is currently accepting applications to the Section 319(h) Grant Program which can fund the construction of green infrastructure projects. Funding ranges from $50,000 to $1,200,000

Applications are due August 1, 2023. Learn more.
Job Postings & Requests for Proposals
• SSMMA offers a list of local job opportunities and RFPs throughout the south suburban region directly on our website.

• Municipalities and organizations can send job openings and proposals here to be publicly posted.

SPC News


Have You Considered Granite?

  • Granite Government Solutions, with its Illinois location in Elk Grove Village, joined the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) as a vendor in December 2021 and is now the sole telecommunications provider for the Cooperative with Telecommunications Contract #205. Granite is a $1.8 billion dollar corporation that provides voice, data, and other related communications products and services to multi-location businesses and governmental agencies throughout the United States and Canada.

  • Granite furnishes services to eighty-five of the Fortune 100 companies in the United States, with nearly two million voice and data lines under management. Federal government contracts include the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, and the National Weather Service.

  • We encourage members to review current telecommunications contracts and contact Granite for a side-by-side comparison. NWMC Purchasing Director Ellen Dayan, edayan@nwmc-cog.org or 847-296-9203, will be happy to assist in making arrangements for Granite to meet with your designated internal telecommunications contact Senior Sales Executive Frank Ventrella at 630-649-0823 or email FVentrella@granitenet.com.

July 18 Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction

  • The next Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auction is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, July 18 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. We are going strong in the tenth year of the SPC partnership with America’s AA and encourage members to participate in this live and online program where hundreds of individuals come together and actively bid to own used municipal equipment. It’s the best avenue for municipalities to earn the highest dollar on used equipment.

  • America’s AA offers a wide variety of convenient services to prep your vehicles and garner the highest possible price. Please note that vehicles and equipment can be listed for disposal at the SPC auction right up to the morning of the auction day. Sell them now to get a fresh start and please keep in mind that a portion of the proceeds helps support the operations of the organization. If you can’t make the July auction, the fall live auction will be held on October 17. In addition, America’s Auto Auction hosts online sales on par with other government surplus Internet auctions. For questions or additional information, please contact staff or Berry Ellis, 312-371-5993 or berry.ellis@americasautoauction.com.

Register Today for the July 26 SPC Vendor Showcase

  • As a reminder, the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) will host the SPC Vendor Showcase on Wednesday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Oakton College, 1600 E. Golf Road in Des Plaines. The Showcase will be held in Rooms 1608 and 1610 with parking available in Lot C. This is a free event for attendees, and thanks to SPC partner Sourcewell, anyone can attend their presentation and earn one contact hour toward Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with The Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP).

  • The SPC Vendor Showcase schedule is as follows:

10:00 a.m. – noon: SPC Vendor Showcase Vehicle demonstrations in Parking Lot C

Noon – 1:00 p.m.: Sourcewell Presentation and Box Lunch Collaboration: Bypass and Master Internal Disaster to Build Your Dream Team Presented by Sourcewell Client Solutions Advisor Natalie Morgan

  • The SPC Vendor Showcase presents a unique opportunity for local government officials from the SPC’s participating councils of government and others to meet one-on-one with SPC vendors at one time.
  • Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC), DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC), South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), and Will County Governmental League (WCGL) members and staff will be onsite to learn about the products, services, and solutions offered by the SPC to help you better serve your communities. Vendors will have individual display areas where you can discuss all of your joint purchasing needs.
  • Please register for the event by visiting the SPC Vendor Showcase Attendee Registration page.
  • Please contact NWMC Purchasing Director Ellen Dayan at 847-296-9203 or edayan@nwmc-cog.org with any questions.
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