Kane County panel recommends $1.4 million in CDBG, housing and homelessness funds for 2026 projects

KANE COUNTY, Ill. — The Kane County Community Development Commission on May 26 recommended $1,395,313 in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and related funding allocations for 2026, directing staff to forward the proposal to the county board.

Chair Deborah Allen opened the meeting by emphasizing the commission’s role in administering the county’s urban-county HUD allocation and reviewing program priorities. Tony Mallet, community development program manager, described the three neighborhood-improvement applications under consideration: a Carpentersville roadway resurfacing project, a North Aurora water-main replacement to reduce service interruptions, and phase 2 at South Elgin’s Lions Park to improve a staircase and parking access.

“We’re limited in what we have available,” Mallet said, explaining staff had worked with applicants to size projects for the smaller allocation this year.

Staff reported an estimated 2026 federal allocation of $1,295,313 plus $100,000 in remaining COVID-era CDBG funds for a total available of $1,395,313. The commission’s recommendation divides that total among program lines: $275,000 for Carpentersville resurfacing; $300,000 for North Aurora (after the applicant reduced scope); $275,000 for South Elgin Lions Park phase 2; $256,651 proposed to go into a pooled affordable-housing fund (which combines CDBG, HOME consortium funds and the St. Charles Housing Trust Fund); and the usual HMIS and planning/administration amounts under HUD rules.

Chris Doll, assistant director of community development, told commissioners that projects funded through the program are targeted to census tracts or survey areas that qualify as serving low- and moderate-income residents. “It serves, I believe, a large neighborhood ... in an area of North Aurora where, according to census data, we have a low‑to‑moderate‑income population,” Doll said, explaining why the park and infrastructure projects were eligible.

Commissioners pressed staff on tradeoffs between one-off housing outcomes and infrastructure projects that serve many residents. “I love the house that was … sold to a family of six and a veteran,” said Commissioner Mike Linder, “but I also look at a water main that serves a lot of people.” Mark Van Kirkoff, a county staffer, said the recommended split reflects the county’s five‑year consolidated plan obligations to fund affordable housing, neighborhood improvements, homeless services and administration, and staff intent to preserve some activity in each category despite lower carryover this year.

Staff also presented program achievements since 2014, including 34 neighborhood infrastructure projects completed, three parks redeveloped and measurable infrastructure totals (23,422 linear feet of water/storm work; 628,830 square yards of pavement; 327,612 square feet of sidewalks). Staff highlighted recent housing outcomes, including a single-family redevelopment sold to a low/moderate-income veteran household and a two-unit rental held at 50% area median income (AMI) for permanent affordable rental use.

After discussion, Commissioner Mike Linder moved to approve forwarding the staff recommendations to the county board; the motion was seconded and the commission recorded affirmative roll-call responses and approved the recommendation. The commission also approved the minutes from its April 9, 2025 meeting earlier in the session and adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Motion to forward 2026 funding recommendations to county board: approved (motion moved by Mike Linder, seconded; roll call affirmative). - Motion to approve April 9, 2025 minutes: approved (unanimous consent).

What happens next The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Kane County Board for final approval and inclusion in the county’s annual action plan to HUD. Staff said they will continue to work with applicants to ensure projects can be completed quickly to meet HUD timeliness expectations.

Sources and attribution This article is based entirely on remarks and documents presented at the Kane County Community Development Commission meeting on May 26, 2026. Quotes and program numbers are taken from the meeting presentation and the transcript.