Register Today for SSMMA's Vendor Fair Member Appreciation Dinner |
Join the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association on the evening of Thursday, March 21 for our 5th annual Vendor Fair Member Appreciation Dinner event!
This year's vendor fair will be held at Glenwoodie Golf Club. Registration is due by March 13. Contact Melissa Doud for questions or more information. |
Act Now: Funding Opportunity for Lead Service Line Replacement in Illinois Communities |
Director John J. Kim of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has announced a new funding opportunity totaling $6,570,000. This initiative aims to support communities in fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (LSLRN Act). The Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grant Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement Grant, is offering grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 to local government units. These funds will be allocated to assist in the creation of comprehensive lead service line inventories.
The LSLRN Act (Public Act 102-0613) mandates that owners and operators of community water supplies (CWS) in Illinois submit a complete water service line material inventory to the Illinois EPA for approval by April 15, 2024. This inventory must detail the composition of all service lines within the CWS’s distribution system.
Funded by the Local Assistance and Other State Program Set-Aside from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the LSLI Grant Program is currently accepting applications beginning February 15, 2024, until funding is expended.
Interested parties can find the latest LSLI Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), along with all required forms and information, on the Illinois EPA website. To participate, applicants must pre-qualify through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal. Questions regarding grant information can be directed to Lanina Clark, Project Manager, at (217)782-2027 or by email at Lanina.Clark@illinois.gov.
In addition, grantees have the option to request supplemental funding through the Illinois EPA’s Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP). This low-interest loan can be utilized in conjunction with funding to replace lead service lines. For inquiries about funding through the PWSLP, individuals are encouraged to call 217-782-2027 and ask to speak with the Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section Project Manager on call.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
Visit our website for SSMMA's meeting schedule, Zoom log-in information, and meeting materials.
Transportation Meeting - Tuesday, March 5 at 2:00pm
Housing Collaborative Meeting - March 14 at 2pm via Zoom (rescheduled from 2/9)
SSMMA Board Meeting - Thursday, March 21 (Held at Vendor Fair)
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Illinois EPA Awards Lead Service Line Inventory Funding to Southland Communities |
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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded funding to the following Southland communities under the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) grant program. SSMMA would like to extend congratulations to the Village of Alsip, City of Blue Island, Village of Burnham, Village of Calumet Park, Village of Chicago Heights, Village of Dolton, Village of Hazel Crest, City of Markham, Village of Posen, Village of Robbins, Village of South Chicago Heights, and the Village of Steger.
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Grant Opportunities and Resources |
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• Funding for projects to enhance urban and community forestry in disadvantaged communities is now available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry allocation of the Inflation Reduction Act. Register for an info session here.
• Find a list of grant opportunities for the state of Illinois here.
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News from Community Partners |
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Early Voting in 2024 Primary Election |
• Suburban Cook County residents can participate in early voting at the downtown Chicago location at 69 West Washington Pedway. Early voting at all other county sites will begin on March 4 and continue until March 18.
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Cook County Government Hosting Black History Month Digital Equity Event |
• Cook County Government will host a Black History Month Digital Equity event in partnership with the Matteson Library on Tuesday, February 27 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Matteson Public Library.
• This event is for residents located in Matteson, Chicago Heights, Park Forest, and Richton Park. During this event, there will be a community conversation about access, skills, and devices. There will be a giveaway of 100 laptop computers. Registration is required to receive a device.
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ComEd Encourages Residential Customers to Apply for New EV
Charger and Installation Rebate
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• ComEd has launched a new rebate
program to increase access to EV chargers.
• To make EVs more accessible, the program offers the highest rebates and reserves 50 percent of funds for equity-eligible communities, including low-income customers and customers living in Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIEC).
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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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NWMC Extends Auctioneer Agreement with America’s Auto Auction
• The NWMC Board met Wednesday and unanimously approved the third of four possible, one-year contract extensions for Auctioneer Services with America’s Auto Auction of Crestwood. The contract terms remain the same, with the extension running from February 15, 2024, through February 14, 2025. This year’s auction dates are April 23, July 23, and October 22. For questions or additional information, contact staff or Berry Ellis, 312-371-5993 or
berry.ellis@americasautoauction.com
Reminder: SPC Ford Police Interceptor Utility Order Bank is Open
• Final specifications have yet to be released, but Ford Motor Company last week opened the order bank for the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Contract #204) with Currie Motors. Ford will accept orders on an allocation basis relative to the purchasing history of the ordering agency over the past five years. For questions or additional information, please contact Municipal Sales Manager Tom Sullivan, 815-464-9200 or
tsullivan@curriemotors.com.
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Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.
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