Skokie marks 50 years of CDBG funding; board approves substantial amendment to 2024 action plan

Skokie marked 50 years of participation in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at the Village Board meeting on March 17, and the board voted to approve a substantial amendment to the village’s 2024 CDBG annual action plan.

Justin Malone, director of neighborhood and housing and CDBG administrator for the Village of Skokie, opened a short commemoration and thanked nonprofit partners who have used CDBG funds. Malone said Skokie has “benefited from over $25,000,000 in funding through this program” since 1974 and described the grant as central to local services and housing supports.

The nut graf: The celebration underscored a continuing local investment in federally funded services while the board approved changes to the 2024 action plan that staff said will let currently approved projects continue and add new work where bids came in under estimates or additional need was identified.

Board action: The board approved a staff-recommended substantial amendment that reopens the previously approved 2024 action plan so the village can (a) adjust scopes and funding for several existing projects, (b) add funding to the home improvement program that provides financial assistance for home repairs, and (c) provide facility upgrades for service providers whose regular public-service CDBG allocations were exhausted for the program year. Malone told the board that North Shore Senior Center and Metropolitan Family Services were among organizations the village approached about facility repairs after their public-service allocations were maxed out in April.

Implementation and schedule: Malone said the village joined the Cook County Consortium since last year, which changed program administration and extended local program participation. Staff said the revised action plan will be sent to HUD for final approval once the board adopts the amendment, after which applicants may resume work. Malone said the consolidated five-year plan process is beginning; a short resident survey will be available through April, applications will be available around April 1, and applicant presentations are expected to be scheduled for the May 5 meeting.

Why it matters: The amendment aims to preserve momentum on projects approved in February 2024, maximize use of awarded funds when bids come in under estimates, and respond to nonprofit needs as the program year progresses. Expanding the home improvement fund and helping facilities remain safe and accessible affects low- and moderate-income residents who rely on CDBG-funded services.

Board vote: The motion to accept the amendment was moved by Trustee Sucker and seconded by a trustee whose name was not specified on the record; the roll call recorded all present trustees and the mayor voting "Aye." The approved motion directs staff to submit the revised action plan to HUD for approval.

Quotes from nonprofit representatives and partners were played and read during the celebration. In a recorded statement Noe Fiora Lopez, identified as CEO of Peer Services, said CDBG support "made it possible for us to provide crucial substance use services and supports to Skokie residents with limited or no income." Trina Grogan, development manager at SEARCH Inc., and Tish Rudnicki, executive director and board president of North Shore Senior Center, described multi‑decade partnerships that helped support accessibility, energy-efficiency upgrades and home-delivered meals.

Next steps and public participation: Staff will advertise the amended action plan for public comment and send the revision to HUD. Malone encouraged resident input on the five-year consolidated plan survey and said paper copies are available at Village Hall.

Ending: The board’s unanimous approval keeps the village’s CDBG projects moving through the summer while staff completes the procedural steps needed for HUD review and continued implementation.