Six communities in East Central Illinois will receive $500,000 grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for water or sewer projects, the DCEO said Thursday.
The Village of Ashmore, Cottonwood Township, Watson Township, city of Effingham and Clarksburg Township will use their grants for water distribution improvements, while the city of Bridgeport will fund sewer improvements with its grant.
The state agency gave out more than $14.5 million in federal funds through Community Development Block Grants, with 36 communities in 29 counties receiving grants for various infrastructure projects.
Hunter Township, Village of Greenup, Village of Willow Hill and Village of Watson will also receive smaller infrastructure grants.
“Public infrastructure is important not only for the day-to-day function of Illinoisans, but to bolster growth and economic development within a community,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said in a news release. “These grant dollars will be used for projects such as water, sanitary and sewer system improvements that will greatly support our low-income communities and attract more opportunities for residents.”
Community Development Block Grant recipients
| County | Recipient | Award | Project |
| Bond | Village of Sorento | $500,000 | Construction of new elevated water storage tank |
| Bureau | City of Princeton | $500,000 | Sanitary sewer line replacement |
| Christian | Village of Morrisonville | $500,000 | Sanitary sewer improvements |
| Christian | Village of Mount Auburn | $500,000 | Proposed water system improvements |
| Coles | Village of Ashmore | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Cumberland | Cottonwood Township | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Effingham | Watson Township | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Effingham | City of Effingham | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Fayette | City of St. Elmo | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Fayette | Village of Ramsey | $500,000 | Sanitary sewer improvements |
| Fayette | Fayette County | $500,000 | New water main distribution and appurtenances |
| Franklin | Village of Royalton | $500,000 | Improvements to existing sewage treatment plant |
| Hancock | City of LaHarpe | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Iroquois | Village of Loda | $500,000 | Construction of new elevated water storage tank |
| Knox | City of Abingdon | $500,000 | Sanitary sewer improvements |
| LaSalle | City of LaSalle | $500,000 | Separate storm sewer flows |
| Lawrence | City of Bridgeport | $500,000 | Sanitary sewer improvements |
| Macon | Village of Niantic | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Mercer | Village of Joy | $500,000 | Construction of new elevated water storage tank |
| Montgomery | Audubon Township | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Shelby | Clarksburg Township | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Warren | City of Monmouth | $500,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Williamson | City of Carterville | $500,000 | Water system improvements |
| Winnebago | Village of Durand | $500,000 | Potable water well improvements |
| Morgan | Village of Chapin | $483,600 | Replace existing wastewater lagoon aeration system |
| Jo Daviess | Village of Stockton | $453,700 | Water distribution improvements |
| Bureau | Village of DePue | $288,104 | Replace the current Princeton Street booster station |
| Alexander | Village of Thebes | $208,650 | Water treatment plant improvements |
| Massac | Massac County | $199,890 | New water lines to the Southland Subdivision |
| Edgar | Hunter Township | $185,000 | Water distribution improvements |
| Cumberland | Village of Greenup | $170,000 | New water main distribution and appurtenances |
| Jasper | Village of Willow Hill | $144,900 | Replace a lift station and upgrade sewer lagoon |
| Wayne | Big Mound Township | $111,018 | Install new rural waterlines and connect homes |
| Effingham | Village of Watson | $103,425 | Sanitary sewer improvements |
| White | City of Carmi | $90,387 | New lift station, and replacement of sewer line |
| Putnam | Village of Standard | $81,500 | New storm water pumping station |
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