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Vernon Hills directs staff to draft ordinance awarding $70,000 in social-service grants
Summary
Village staff recommended awards totaling $70,000 across 16 organizations from 16 applications requesting $82,000; trustees discussed adding grant categories and requiring 501(c)(3)/990 documentation; the board voted to direct staff to draft an ordinance reflecting recommendations.
Village Manager Timmy presented the recommended awards for the 2026 social-service grant program and asked the board for direction on moving the recommendations into ordinance form.
Timmy said the village received 16 applications requesting a combined $82,000 and that staff recommended awarding $70,000 distributed among 16 organizations, including one new applicant recommended at $3,500. He noted that since the program began in 2003 the village has awarded roughly $926,000 in total grants and that this year staff and trustees discussed refining the application categories to distinguish village-specific versus countywide agencies.
Trustees Forster and Lundin served on the review panel; trustees asked for clearer documentation from applicants (tax IDs, IRS 990, confirmation of 501(c)(3) status) and discussed whether to adopt a tiered award system so truly local organizations receive priority. Trustee comments also reflected a desire to see lower administrative-cost ratios and clarity about executive compensation for certain agencies.
A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to draft an ordinance in accordance with the recommendations; roll call recorded ayes and the motion carried.
Next steps: staff will prepare a draft ordinance listing awards and bring it back for formal adoption.
