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Grants Help Local Governments Remove Architectural Barriers

Governor Jim Edgar has announced grants totaling $1 million to help 27 Illinois communities renovate public buildings to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.

"Renovating public buildings to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act has proven financially difficult for many small communities," the Governor said. "These grants can make the difference by providing the funds necessary for local governments to make needed renovations. Our goal is to make sure that public services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their physical challenges.

"CDAP grants are among our most important tools to help small Illinois communities in meeting the needs of their citizens," Edgar said. "This particular component was designed specifically to make it possible for small communities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It's Just one way CDAP helps small Illinois communities meet the needs of their residents."

A project to renovate the Williamson County Courthouse is an example. Local funds have been used to begin efforts to improve accessibility to the building, constructed in 1975. Williamson County will receive a $92,000 CDAP grant to conduct Phase II of its renovation, including four accessible parking spaces for vans in the lower north lot and two spaces in the east lot, new ramps on the north side of the courthouse, jury area restroom renovations and signs.

The CDAP program is administered by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). The ADA grants were awarded following a competitive review that evaluated a community's justification of project need, financial need and eligibility of the activities outlined in the project implementation plants.

CDAP grants are awarded by DCCA to units of local government with populations of 50,000 or less that are not located within one of the seven large urban counties that receive funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The maximum grant available under this component is $150,000.

The following communities received Removal of Architectural Barriers grants:

Community (County)

Project

Grant

Baylis (Pike)

Rehab village hall

$ 3,410

Bushnell (McDonough)

Rehab city hall, utility office

$ 32,255

Campbell Mill (Jackson)

Rehab village hall

$ 47,245

Carmi Township (White)

Rehab township hospital

$ 27,300

Cass County

Rehab courthouse

$ 3,375

Geneseo (Henry)

Rehab city buildings

$ 26,980

Grundy County

Rehab courthouse

$ 18,975

Hillsboro (Montgomery)

Rehab city hall

$ 11.405

JoDaviess County

Rehab courthouse

$ 95,800

Litchfield (Montgomery)

Rehab city hall, police department

$ 60,620

Mackinaw Township (Tazewell)

Rehab township building

$ 4,330

Morris (Grundy)

Rehab city hall

$ 33,010

Nauvoo (Hancock)

Rehab city hall, library, civic center

$ 40,365

Nebo (Pike)

Rehab village hall, fire station

$ 1,170

New Baden (Clinton)

Rehab village hall, library, civic center,

police & fire stations

$ 20,000

Oquawka (Henderson)

Rehab village hall

$ 12,170

Perry County

Rehab courthouse

$ 107,695

Pike County

Rehab courthouse

$ 97,580

Rock Island County

Rehab courthouse

$ 20,280

Saline County

Rehab courthouse

$ 138,210

Sims (Wayne)

Rehab village hall

$ 10,235

Stark County

Rehab courthouse

$ 8,695

Wamac (Marion)

Rehab city hall

$ 30,360

Williamson County

Rehab courthouse

$ 92,000

Winchester (Scott)

Rehab city hall

$ 5.920

Woodford County

Rehab county annex building

$ 18,645

Wyanet Township (Bureau)

Rehab township hall

$ 23,170

TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED

$1,000,000



October 1995 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 9


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