Elmhurst council approves $150,000 Explore Elmhurst community grants after debate over applicants' financial reporting

The Elmhurst City Council approved distribution of $150,000 in Explore Elmhurst community grants on March 3, 2025, after a debate over application requirements and timing.

Alderman Michael Brennan, chair of the Public Affairs and Safety Committee, presented the committee’s recommendation, saying the committee received 14 applications and is proposing a $150,000 distribution funded by the city’s hotel-motel tax. “We had 14 applicants and a distribution of $150,000; the funds for this come from the hotel-motel tax,” Brennan said.

The council’s discussion focused on two procedural changes for this year’s grants: a new scoring matrix to standardize awards and a change requiring recipients to request reimbursement rather than receiving funds up front. Several aldermen said the matrix and reimbursement approach are intended to reduce discretionary decision-making and set clearer expectations for applicants.

Alderman Hill said he was pulling the item for vote…