Waukegan council approves expanded façade-improvement grant program, cites $700,000 in last-year investment

The Waukegan City Council on Aug. 3 adopted a resolution authorizing a new commercial façade improvement grant program for fiscal years 2026–2027, continuing a downtown revitalization effort that staff said produced more than $700,000 in property improvements last year.

Noelle, a city planning presenter, told aldermen the prior program was funded through federal ARPA money and awarded varying grants: “36 North Genesee, we awarded $22,000; 141 South Genesee, we awarded the full $50,000 grant amount; 121 West Water Street, we awarded $50,000.” She said owner contributions totaled “just over $258,000,” and that some approved project amounts were not fully expended because final costs were lower than initial estimates.

Council members pressed staff on eligibility and accountability. Alderman Bolton said she knew a small business owner who “needed a hand up,” while Alderman Guzman questioned whether affluent businesses receiving funds undermined the program’s intent. Staff replied the new program, like the prior round, does not include applicant income qualifications but that the council could direct staff to design eligibility requirements if it wished.

Staff described the program’s mechanics: grants of up to $50,000 per project with varying matching percentages by area (examples given up to 90%, 85% or 80% depending on location), owner responsibility for permits and the remaining project cost, and a reimbursement-based payment process requiring invoices, permit approvals and photographic verification. The Development Review Board will review project scopes and approve eligible items before reimbursement.

The council carried the resolution and members encouraged outreach: “This is now our job to reach out to our business owners and let them know … they have the opportunity to take advantage of it,” the committee chair said after the vote.