WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that she has advanced $86,472,752 in funding for local community projects within the House Committee on Appropriations. Earlier this year, Budzinski requested funding for 15 projects throughout Central and Southern Illinois through the U.S. House of Representatives’ Community Project Funding process. Funding for each one of Budzinski’s 15 requests has passed through subcommittees of the House Committee on Appropriations.

“Bringing federal funding back home is one of my most important roles in Congress,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “After talking with local leaders throughout the 13th District to hear about their priorities, I was proud to request funding for 15 projects that will improve our communities and the lives of residents throughout Central and Southern Illinois. I’m so glad to see these funds move one step closer to reaching Illinois and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the passage of these resources in a final budget deal on the House Floor.”  

Through the Community Project Funding process, Members of Congress can request funding for up to 15 projects in their congressional district. Once submitted, the requests are reviewed by subcommittees of the House Committee on Appropriations before receiving a markup by the full committee. Once passed in the Appropriations Committee, Community Project Funding requests are considered on the House Floor in annual government funding legislation.  

Details on Congresswoman Budzinski’s Community Project Funding requests can be found below: 

Upper Mississippi River System Locks and Dams: $75,000,000 for the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program

• The Fiscal Year 2024 House Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes $75 million in funding requested by Representatives Budzinski, LaHood, Sorensen, Graves and Luetkemeyer to upgrade locks and dams along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers through the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP). These waterway infrastructure improvements will improve safety and efficiency — allowing agricultural goods from local family farmers to reach the global market in record time.

Alton, IL: $1,000,000 for Alton Forward

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for Alton Forward would be used to revitalize downtown Alton with the construction of the Lovejoy – the first new construction project downtown in over a generation. The project will create good-paying jobs and propel Alton’s downtown revitalization plans forward, helping the city reposition itself for the 21st century and become a strong economic and residential hub in Southern Illinois. 

Bethalto, IL: $1,000,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis would be used to build a new clubhouse in Bethalto, Illinois with more space to support programming and host community events. The project will help ensure that more young people have access to the organization’s resources as they help local youth to achieve their full potential. 

Carlinville, IL: $500,000 for the Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled would be used to support the organization’s “Growing MCDD” project which aims to support the center’s students and improve services for the disabled in Macoupin County. Funding would support the creation of a joint facility where neurodiversity can be promoted among citizens and residential services for the disabled with employment opportunities can be provided. Growing MCCD and moving to a new facility would allow the Center to serve more of the community’s population at a more accessible and safe location. 

Champaign, IL: $963,000 for the University of Illinois Police Champaign-Urbana Real Time Crime Center 

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the University of Illinois would be used to establish a “Real-Time Crime Center” (RTCC) on the Urbana-Champaign campus. The project would expand and enhance crime prevention, monitoring and response to protect students and members of the local community.

Champaign, IL: $850,000 for Garden Hills Revitalization

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the City of Champaign would be used to establish a new park in an underserved community and build bridges over new detention basins that are being constructed to address flooding issues in the neighborhood. The project aims to construct two connected stormwater detention basins, add street lights throughout the neighborhood to improve safety and reconstruct several streets sidewalks for safety and accessibility.

Decatur, IL: $500,000 for Richland Community College

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for Richland Community College would be used to support the EnRich Educational Campus Housing Project which aims to establish housing for students entering the EV Workforce Academy, AgAcademy and the school’s nursing program. The project will support Richland’s workforce development efforts to close the job skills gap in Central and Southern Illinois.

East Alton, IL: $959,752 for Water Treatment Facility Upgrades

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the Village of East Alton would be used to support the community’s upgrades to the East Alton Water Treatment facility. Proposed work will bring the facility up to current EPA standards and increase water treatment capacity to meet the demands of industrial and residential customers. 

East St. Louis, IL: $1,000,000 for the R3 Development Youth Workforce Development Training Center

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the R3 Youth Workforce Development Training Center would be used to support the expansion of the center to improve the delivery of services to East St. Louis. The project aims to lift up underprivileged youth and the community more broadly through youth employment and leadership development, construction skills training, job placement and housing development.

East St. Louis: $500,000 for Urban Strategies’ Parsons Place Renovation

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for Urban Strategies would be used for renovations at the Parsons Place mixed income apartment complex located in East St. Louis. The project would have a stabilizing influence on housing in East St. Louis and serve as a catalyst for future economic development.

Pawnee, IL: $500,000 for Water Main Replacement

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the village of Pawnee would be used to replace approximately 7,550 feet of water main, reconnecting water services to 121 residential properties, a church and the Village’s K-12 school while restoring the site to return all disturbed areas to their existing conditions. The project will dramatically lower the future financial, health and safety risks posed by aging water infrastructure.

Springfield, IL: $ 1,000,000 for Moving Pillsbury Forward

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for Moving Pillsbury Forward would be used to redevelop the former Pillsbury Mill located in Springfield. The project will benefit the low-income and underserved residential populations that live in the immediate area surrounding the Pillsbury sites.

Springfield, IL: $1,050,000 for Community Access Project 1908

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for The Springfield Project would be used to renovate the existing Community Access Project 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center incubator space and acquire the neighboring property in an effort to expand services to the community. The project will help address socio economic challenges in East Springfield neighborhoods by supporting entrepreneurship and small business development.

 Staunton, IL: $800,000 for the City of Staunton’s Force Main Replacement 

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the City of Staunton would be used to improve operation of the city’s only sanitary sewerage pump station and force main that transports wastewater to the treatment facility. The sanitary sewer force main infrastructure is over 40 years old and has experienced severe wear. The project is needed to improve the pump station to prevent a future catastrophic event.

Wood River, IL: $850,000 for the City of Wood River’s 9th Street Detention Pond

• The funding requested by Congresswoman Budzinski for the City of Wood River would be used to construct a detention pond, which would lower the base flood elevation in a populated area of the city. The project will help mitigate property damage, improve property values and provide for future growth and expansion in an undeveloped area of the city.

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