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Healthy West Chicago seeks $30,000 from city as committee agrees to process outstanding invoice
Summary
Healthy West Chicago presented an annual update and requested $30,000 in city support for 2026; staff told the Public Affairs Committee there is an outstanding invoice of about $20,000 and said it will be scheduled for payment, while aldermen expressed broad support for continuing program funding.
Healthy West Chicago told the West Chicago Public Affairs Committee that it is requesting $30,000 from the city for 2026 and provided an update on outreach and health measures in the community.
Staff introduced the item and noted inconsistencies in the meeting packet about prior funding amounts; staff said the organization has an outstanding invoice of about $20,000 and that the committee will seek to have that invoice processed on an upcoming agenda. The transcript indicated past city support in recent years at roughly $40,000, though the packet language contained inconsistent figures; staff flagged those inconsistencies for committee clarification.
Sarah, who spoke on behalf of Healthy West Chicago and said she runs the nonprofit People Made Visible (the program’s fiscal agent), described the program’s history and priorities. "West Chicago hovers around 30 and has only gotten worse since COVID," she said, citing local childhood obesity and chronic-disease statistics that she said come from Northwestern and local public-health partners. She said the initiative, launched in 2014 with community partners including We Go Together for Kids and District 33, focuses on walkability, nutrition access and mental-health supports.
On fundraising and events, Sarah said the group’s annual 5K is this weekend; District 33 supplies 100 registration codes so children and parents can register free. She also told the committee that "all of the money that is raised for Healthy West Chicago goes directly to Healthy West Chicago programming and staff." Committee members asked about outside fundraising and partnerships; Sarah said federal funding has been difficult to secure, but corporate partners and grants have offset some city reliance.
Committee members signaled strong support for continuing city backing. One alderman said the program "connects our community" and should be prioritized in budget rankings; others praised its local reach. Staff summarized the committee’s two requests: authorize processing of 2025 invoices for payment and provide direction on continued city support for the program. Staff said it would plan to place the outstanding invoice on the next agenda for processing.
The committee did not take a final vote on a 2026 appropriation during the meeting; next steps are staff processing of the outstanding invoice and budget consideration as part of the city’s upcoming budget decisions.
