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Continuing resolution leaves Lake County earmarks out; staff to resubmit projects as federal appropriations stay flat
Summary
Federal continuing resolution through Sept. 30 kept FY25 funding near FY24 levels, removed congressional directed spending (including about $3.2 million in Lake County earmarks), and left the county to resubmit projects while a related USDOT grant for Cedar Lake Road remains in process.
At the April 1 Lake County Legislative Committee meeting, a federal funding update warned that a short-term continuing resolution (CR) passed by Congress preserved most departments at FY24 levels but omitted congressional directed spending and earmarks, affecting several Lake County projects.
Greg, providing the federal update, said Congress passed a CR on March 14 that carries funding through Sept. 30 but “the cuts in nondefense spending included congressionally directed spending.” He reported that the county’s FY25 earmarks for sewer, water and housing projects — described in the meeting as approximately $3,200,000 — were removed when the CR omitted line-item earmarks.
Greg said the county is already preparing to resubmit FY25 requests for FY26 appropriations and is working with offices including Senator Durbin’s and Representative Schakowsky’s staff; some congressional offices extended internal deadlines for resubmission. He advised county staff to proceed with project-obligation steps with federal agencies unless they receive an official stop-work order.
On a project-specific question, Greg said the $19 million Cedar Lake Road raise project had been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation through a separate USDOT grant process and remains “theoretically safe,” but the county must complete required paperwork and obligations with USDOT.
Greg also briefed the committee on immediate litigation and policy questions in Washington. He said 23 states and D.C. are suing HHS over the administration’s withholding of certain public-health funds and seeking temporary restraining orders or injunctions to preserve the grants; the outcome is pending. He described the broader fiscal debate around the budget reconciliation process and the uncertainties that creates for major federal programs.
Why this matters: The CR’s removal of earmarks directly affects Lake County’s near-term capital plans; staff said resubmission for FY26 is underway and that project teams should continue required paperwork until a federal agency issues guidance to stop.
Ending: Committee members asked follow-up questions about specific grants and litigation; Greg said county staff should assume projects continue unless directed otherwise by federal agencies and will return with updates.
