Lombard board approves $19,000 maximum grant for Brewfest after committee recommended a smaller award

The Village of Lombard Board of Trustees voted to approve a maximum $19,000 grant from hotel-motel tax funds to the Lombard Junior Women's Club for the Lombard Brewfest, scheduled for July 19, 2025.

The grant vote followed a lengthy discussion during which Trustee Dudek, chair of the Community Promotion and Tourism Committee, said the committee had recommended a smaller award but that after additional review he would move to approve the original $19,000 request. “This year they are requesting $19,000 in city services and funding reimbursements. The request last year was for 17,500. It's a difference of $1,500 and the Lombard Junior Women's Club has promised that money will be spent to make the event bigger and better than ever,” Trustee Dudek said.

The committee had debated the request on Feb. 4 and forwarded a recommendation for a reduced amount, Dudek said. He told the board the committee conducted a “rigorous” review of hotel-motel tax spending but that, after further conversations with the organizer and staff, he believed the original request was “fair and reasonable.”

Other trustees voiced support for the event as a longstanding community festival that draws foot traffic downtown and benefits local businesses. Trustee Wagner said the event “brings the community together” and noted it had been revived successfully after the pandemic.

The board approved the grant by roll-call vote with all present trustees voting yes.

The $19,000 figure is a maximum reimbursement; the village will reimburse actual eligible expenses after the event and after the Lombard Junior Women's Club submits receipts, Trustee Dudek said.