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LaSalle County grant coordinator urges formal yearly project wish list to pursue federal funding
Summary
At the March 4 LaSalle County Finance Committee meeting, a grant-writing consultant recommended that each department compile ranked annual “wish lists” with project costs, timelines and funding needs so the county can pursue congressional and state grants more effectively.
Ally, a grant writer who has worked with the North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG), told the LaSalle County Finance Committee on March 4 that departments should prepare ranked annual wish lists of projects with budgets, timelines and justifications so the county can apply quickly for federal and state funding.
"With each item, they should put the who, what, where, why, including how much it will cost, and the timeline of how long it will take," Ally said. "Then the finance committee can look at all of those and create your own wish list to see what the top 10 projects for the entire county would be."
Ally said members of Congress and federal appropriations programs open application windows—typically February through April—and that NCICG can prepare multiple applications for the county. She cited recent local awards as examples: Ottawa’s fire truck, LaSalle’s new well, and Dwight’s ambulance, describing awards that did not require local matches and ranged from roughly $500,000 to $3 million.
The nut graf: Committee members said a formal list would make applying for grants easier and help match county projects to the right funding programs. Committee members repeatedly pressed that project budgets need to be detailed and shovel-ready for some programs, while other grants require only cost estimates.
Committee members discussed how to use such a list in the budget process and with legislators. "We should invite Congresswoman Lauren Underwood here to talk to a group of us," Ally suggested, recommending regular contacts with federal and state representatives so the county is notified when relevant opportunities open. She also referenced Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and former Rep. Kinzinger as examples of the offices that have brought projects to the county.
Several members said the wish list should be part of long-range capital planning and that some grants demand completed designs or engineering estimates before an application will be considered. "IDNR grants are not that extensive—you usually need a cost estimate but not design done," Ally said. Members also discussed reimbursable grants and the need to plan for ongoing operating costs if a grant funds a position or program.
Committee members asked for a follow-up: a written list of potential grant programs, which Ally offered to provide. There was no formal motion related to the grants discussion.
Ending: The committee did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting but agreed to keep grant coordination and a departmental wish list on future agendas. Ally said she would provide examples of federal application schedules and program types for committee review.
