Governor Announces Federal Funding Headed to Western Cook County

Governor Pat Quinn  recently announced that three suburbs in west suburban Cook County will receive federal funds to spur development. (Photo Credit: Chris Eaves)
Governor Pat Quinn recently announced that three suburbs in west suburban Cook County will receive federal funds to spur development. (Photo Credit: Chris Eaves)

Three suburbs in western Cook County will receive over $ 4 million from the federal government to surge affordable housing.

On Dec. 3, Governor Pat Quinn announced that the funds will be awarded through the IKE Disaster Recovery Program.

According to a governors office press release, the funding will be used to rehabilitate homes in Bellwood, Maywood and Forest Park for low-and-moderate income families.

In 2008, western Cook County suffered severe storms and flooding. The three suburbs receiving funding are working to stabilize their communities after several years of economic downturn, the release stated.

This funding will help revitalize communities in west suburban Cook County that were impacted by the storms in 2008 by expanding affordable housing, said Governor Quinn Providing more affordable housing options will help ease financial stress for families and stabilize the local economy.

The IKE funding will serve as a catalyst to support the acquiring, restoration and selling of homes in Bellwood, Maywood and Forest Park.

The IKE recovery program is named for Hurricane Ike; the 2008 catastrophe was one of the most expensive hurricanes ever to hit the United States.

Illinois received a total of $169 million in federal disaster funds under IKE in 2008 to help communities within 41 counties recover from distressing floods and storms and to diminish the impact of future disasters. Projects permitted under the IKE-Community Stabilization component of the program help increase affordable housing and stabilize communities.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) also weighed in on the funding to help western Cook County.

Todays funding will help communities in west Cook County ensure decent, affordable housing for more families and residents, said Sen. Durbin More than that, a stable community with easy access to transportation is better positioned to retain and attract businesses that can revitalize the region and create good-paying jobs.

Log on to www.ildceo.net/disasterrecovery for more information on the IKE Disaster Recovery Program.

By Thelma Sardin

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