United Way day-of-action set for Earth Day; ECDA reports lead-hazard waitlists and public-service application intake

Alderman Barron reported the Community Development Committee heard a presentation from Mariah Vail, executive director of the United Way for Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, asking city wards to plan projects for a citywide Day of Action scheduled for Earth Day, April 22, 2025.

The committee also received an ECDA update on housing and public-service program activity. Barbara Brewer Watson, ECDA Director, told the committee there are 94 households on the lead-hazard grant wait list and 235 households on the non-lead wait list; ECDA's stated goal is to complete five projects per month.

Nut graf: The committee's briefing highlights two near-term community initiatives: a volunteer Day of Action on April 22 that requires ward-level planning and sponsorships, and ECDA's ongoing housing remediation workload captured by wait-list totals.

Alderman Barron said the United Way is seeking creative projects and sponsorships for this year's Day of Action, and he asked each ward to return with ideas at the next committee meeting. On public-service grants, the committee heard that 11 nonprofit organizations attended orientations and submitted letters of intent to apply for service funding.

The committee also noted a countywide Partnership for a Healthy Community convened on Jan. 15 to address social determinants of health; aldermen were invited to attend future meetings for updates on countywide responses.

Ending: Committee members said they will review ward proposals for Earth Day projects at the next Community Development meeting and will process public-service applications as they are received.