The Waukegan Finance and Purchasing Committee held a public hearing Monday on a proposed substantial amendment to the City’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan that would reallocate $7,262.04 in prior‑year funds to the housing rehabilitation program.

Larissa Garland, the city’s CDBG director, told the committee the amendment combines $2,262.04 returned by the Northern Illinois Food Bank and $5,000 left unspent by Most Blessed Trinity and places the total into the housing rehab emergency fund, raising that program’s allocation to $157,262.04 for program year 2025. Garland said the change requires a formal substantial amendment, a 30‑day public comment period and HUD approval.

The chair read the public notice, which sets the comment window from Nov. 5 through Dec. 6 and indicates City Council consideration is expected on Dec. 15. Garland said the city will “consider all … comments or reviews received from the public concerning the proposed substantial amendment in accordance with HUD regulations.”

After the presentation committee members had no substantive questions; Alderman Felix moved and Alderman Martinez seconded to close the hearing, and the committee approved the motion. The committee’s action forwards the amendment for City Council consideration and creates the required public‑comment record for HUD review.

What happens next: the amendment will remain open for public comment through Dec. 6, and city staff has scheduled Council action for the Dec. 15 meeting. Written comments submitted during the 30‑day period will be part of the administrative record sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final approval.