EPA Announces More Than $17 Million in Brownfield Grants Through Investing in America Agenda to Rehabilitate and Revitalize Communities in Illinois
Funded by $1.5 billion investment into Brownfields sites from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address legacy pollution, advance environmental justice, and create healthier communities
Today, May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $17,833,610 in grants from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Illinois while advancing environmental justice. These investments through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund grant programs will help transform once-polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities.
EPA selected seven communities in Illinois to receive grants totaling $9,883,610 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the multipurpose, assessment, and cleanup grant program. In addition, the agency is announcing $7,950,000 in supplemental funding to three existing, high-performing brownfields revolving loan fund grant programs to help expedite their continued work at sites Illinois.
“Far too many communities across America have suffered the harmful economic and health consequences of living near polluted brownfield sites. I've long believed that people who’ve borne the burden of pollution should be the first to see the benefits of new investment. Under my Administration, we are making that a reality by ensuring the historic resources from my Investing in America agenda reach communities that need it most,” said President Joe Biden.
“President Biden sees contaminated sites and blighted areas as an opportunity to invest in healthier, revitalized communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That why he secured historic funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supercharging EPA’s Brownfields program to clean up contaminated properties in overburdened communities and bring them back into productive use.”
“The Great Lakes Region has a rich industrial history that brought with it economic prosperity, but also legacy contamination that stills plagued many of our communities,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “With today’s announcement and the ongoing investments from the Biden Administration, EPA and our many partners are accelerating brownfield cleanups and community redevelopment.”
“Today's announcement underscores our commitment to environmental justice, and I am grateful to the Biden administration for the additional federal resources that will support our ongoing work," said Gov. JB Pritzker. "In Illinois, grantees will use this funding to assess and transform formerly contaminated sites into areas that safeguard public health, enhance the environment, and bolster the local economy.”
“Today’s announced federal funding, some of which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support efforts to clean up hazardous materials that undermine the health, growth, and beauty of communities throughout Illinois,” said Sen. Durbin. “In addition to improving our environment, restoring Brownfields will provide new opportunities for jobs and economic development. I’ll continue to be a strong advocate for EPA investments like this that make our communities safer and healthier.”
"Cleaning and repurposing Illinois' Brownfield sites will improve the health of local residents and spur economic activity for our state. The Second District is home to several major Brownfield sites, making this an initiative close to home for many of my constituents who have had long-standing concerns with these sites," said Rep. Robin Kelly. "I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for making this crucial investment for the future of our communities."
"My constituents have experienced the harms of the environmental injustice and the importance of cleaning up brownfields, which are disproportionately located in and near Latino, Black and low-income communities. Many of these investments come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and they are crucial to building healthier, safer communities in Chicagoland and across our state. I look forward to working with local partners on implementation," said Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García.
“Across Illinois, there are still too many places where companies have left behind harmful substances, pollution, or chemicals that threaten the health and well-being of families in our community,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “Cleaning up these sites can completely transform our neighborhoods, bringing good jobs, protecting our environment, and protecting public health. I’m so proud to bring this investment home to northern Illinois and support our community with these federal funds.”
"Many of my neighbors in Central and Northwestern Illinois live in polluted communities that are not safe,” said Rep. Eric Sorensen. “The funding coming from the Environmental Protection Agency to Peoria and Tazewell Counties, and the City of Rockford, will help clean up these polluted areas, meaning healthier neighborhoods for Illinois families.”
“The Illinois EPA is excited to have the opportunity to further support the residents of Illinois by fostering the cleanup and redevelopment of unused or underused parcels found in many communities throughout Illinois,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “This additional funding will provide for redevelopment and enhance the lives of Illinois residents and visitors.”
“We are grateful to receive this cleanup grant award from the EPA, as it provides us with critical funding to clean a contaminated brownfield site in our community and helps pave the way for the development of the Focal Point Community Campus and new Saint Anthony Hospital,” said Chicago Southwest Development Corporation President and CEO Guy A. Medaglia. “The $2M grant, combined with two other cleanup grants (totaling $850,000) awarded from the US EPA, will help towards our estimated $7M cleanup of the full development site and will help prevent potential health concerns for families and children who experience poor air quality and higher rates of respiratory illnesses and asthma, among other chronic illnesses. Thank you to the EPA for recognizing and supporting this important project.”
“Cook County is pleased to receive an additional $950,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our Brownfield Remediation Revolving Loan Fund (RLF),” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This funding will help remove financial barriers to environmental cleanup, encourage economic growth and promote sustainable revitalization efforts in suburban Cook County communities disproportionately impacted by pollution.”
“The City of Decatur is thrilled to receive this support for redevelopment projects in some of our most challenging Environmental Justice areas and under-served, urban core neighborhoods,” said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. “We have a great list of project ideas, including the new state-of-the-art Tillamook facility, and input on quality of life improvements gathered through our Jasper Great Streets Great Neighborhoods project. We are eager to get started!”
“This brownfield site, along with two recent devastating fires in the downtown, have stifled our city,” said City of Mendota Economic Development Director Emily McConville. “Receiving this award is an honor and the exact lifeline the City of Mendota needs desperately. We are honored and truly believe this will be a pivotal step in rebuilding, revitalizing and modernizing our downtown.”
“The leadership team of Moving Pillsbury Forward is without words to adequately express the gratitude we have that the US EPA has enabled the Springfield community to grapple with this 20-year blight after the closure of the former Pillsbury Mills plant (then owned by Cargill),” said Moving Pillsbury Forward President Chris Richmond. “With this grant and the one from last year, all remediation and abatement efforts can be completed at once for the entire 18-acre site.”
“The North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG) is excited to be awarded the U.S. EPA Brownfield Coalition Grant Award,” said North Central Illinois Council of Governments Executive Director Kevin Lindeman. “This funding allows NCICG and its project partners, the Cities of Marseilles, Mendota, Peru and Streator to assess the need for brownfield remediation in the project target areas, better positioning the region for private investment and redevelopment. This grant will help take the next step in doing the assessments to work towards the ultimate goal of cleanup of sites.”
“Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) have proven time and time again to be a very effective resource in the City’s efforts to repurpose vacant and deteriorated buildings and clean up contaminated brownfield sites,” said Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara. “Cleaning up a single brownfield can have a catalytic effect on an entire area and lead to vital redevelopment, as was the case with UW Sports Factory, Hilton Embassy Suites and Colman Yards redevelopment, all of which advanced, in part, through the utilization of these funds to clean up contamination from former industrial land uses.”
"The City of South Beloit is honored to accept the US EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant for the property located at 420 Blackhawk Boulevard,” said South Beloit Mayor Tom Fitzgerald. “This grant award will enable the City to complete the much needed environmental cleanup and restoration on the parcel located at the focal point of the City's downtown area near the intersection of Illinois Route 2 and Route 75. The long-term goal of this project will be to incorporate the property into the Charles Street Park project in hopes to enhance the region's aesthetic and spur economic growth the City's downtown area."
“Tri-County Regional Planning Commission appreciates the USEPA providing the opportunity and funding to assess areas of environmental concerns in the City of Peoria and region,” said Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Eric Miller. “This grant will serve as a catalyst for needed cleanup as well as create opportunities for renewed growth in long disinvested areas of Peoria area. This work will help promote private investment, create jobs, and encourage growth in our Communities.”
Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.
EPA’s Brownfields program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The Brownfields program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations in all aspects of its work. Approximately 86% of the applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include disadvantaged communities.
State Funding Breakdown:
Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant Program Selection
The following organizations in Illinois have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the multipurpose, assessment, and cleanup grant program:
- Chicago Southwest Development Corporation has been selected to receive a $2,000,000 Brownfields cleanup grant to clean up the former Washburne Trade School facility. The 10.8-acre cleanup site operated as a factory until 1958 and contained a transformer building, machine shops, a freight warehouse, and several underground storage tanks. It later operated as a trade school in the mid-1990s. The existing structures were demolished by 2010. The site is now vacant and contaminated with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and metals.
- EPA has selected the city of Decatur for a $500,000 Brownfields assessment grant to conduct 12 Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to support community engagement activities and develop reuse plans for the Jasper Street and MLK Corridors. Priority sites include three former gas stations, the 21.5-acre former Prairie Farms Manufacturing campus, and the 9-acre former Tire One fuel transfer station and distribution center.
- EPA has selected the city of Mendota for a $1,270,305 Brownfields cleanup grant to clean up the Former Campbell Cleaners property. The 0.25-acre cleanup site has two parcels. The southern parcel was used as a steam laundry and dry cleaners, and the northern parcel was used for farm implementation sales and service as well as an automotive parts retailer. The site is current vacant and contaminated with volatile organic compounds and metals.
- EPA has selected Moving Pillsbury Forward for a $2,652,300 Brownfields cleanup grant to clean up part of the Former Pillsbury Plant in Springfield. The 18-acre complex was formerly used for large-scale grain milling, manufacturing, and warehousing operations from approximately 1929 to 2001. It has since fallen into disrepair and several buildings have been demolished. The site is contaminated with inorganic contaminants and metals. Grant funds also will be used to develop fact sheets, provide website updates, and conduct public meetings.
- EPA has selected the North Central Illinois Council of Governments to lead a $1,500,000 Brownfields assessment coalition grant to prioritize and inventory brownfield sites and conduct 28 Phase I and 15 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop 10 cleanup plans and four revitalization plans. Assessment activities will focus on the city of Mendota’s downtown corridor, the city of Streator’s central business district, and the riverfront areas of the cities of Marseilles and Peru. Priority sites include a 5-acre former railyard, a 4.8-acre former Nabisco factory, and a former watch factory that was partially destroyed by a fire in 2012.
- EPA has selected the city of South Beloit for a $1,461,005 Brownfields cleanup grant to clean up the former Mannino property. The 1.7-acre cleanup site was historically used as a filling station, restaurant, and auto repair facility between 1959 and 2014. Site buildings were demolished in 2018 and the site has been vacant since then. It is contaminated with semi-volatile compounds and metals in its soil and groundwater. Grant funds also will be used to conduct cleanup planning and community engagement activities.
- EPA has selected the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for a $500,000 Brownfields assessment grant to conduct 15 Phase I and eight Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to for cleanup and reuse planning and conducting community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s service area including Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties with a focus on the city of Peoria's Southside Neighborhood. Priority sites include the Former Butternut Bread Bakery and the Former Harrison School.
You can read more about this year’s multipurpose, assessment, and cleanup grant selectees, visit EPA’s FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.
Non-Competitive Supplemental Funding Through the Existing Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program
EPA is announcing $7.95 million in non-competitive supplemental funding to a successful existing revolving loan fund grant program that has already achieved success in their work to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. Revolving loan fund grants provide funding for recipients to offer loans and subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. The funding announced today will help communities continue to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfield sites. The following Illinois organizations have been selected to receive non-competitive supplemental funding:
- The Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund has been selected to receive $950,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it has a high-performing revolving loan fund program with significantly depleted funds. The program has successfully made its first loan leading to one completed cleanup project. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include the remediation of sites in Maywood, Chicago Heights, and Calumet City. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in coalition communities in south and west suburban Cook County, including Chicago Heights, Ford Heights, Sauk Village, Bellwood, Maywood, Schiller Park, and Franklin Park.
- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund has been selected to receive $3.5 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it has a high-performing revolving loan fund program with significantly depleted funds. The program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to 22 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include sites located in Springfield, North Chicago, and Waukegan. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in the state.
- The City of Rockford Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund has been selected to receive an additional $3.5 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it has a high-performing revolving loan fund program with significantly depleted funds. The program has successfully made loans leading to eight cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include the Colman Yards redevelopment and the South Main Street railyards area. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in the city of Rockford.
To see the list of revolving loan fund supplemental funding recipients visit EPA’s FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.
To learn more about revolving loan fund technical assistance grant recipient visit EPA’s Brownfields Grow America webpage.
Additional Background:
EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfield sites to address the health, economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President’s historic investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has now increased that yearly investment nearly 400 percent. More than half of the funding available for this grant cycle (approximately $160 million) comes from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment has also allowed the Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup grants’ maximum award amounts to increase significantly from $500,000 to a new maximum of $5 million per award.
For more information on EPA’s Brownfields Program, visit EPA’s Brownfields webpage.