Application period in Illinois opens for $110M in funding

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The application period has opened for Rebuild Illinois, a capital plan to improve public ports statewide.

A total of $110 million will be awarded later this year.

Illinois’ 19 public port districts are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must help modernize and revitalize the state’s marine transportation system and improve public ports.

“Rebuild Illinois is about investing in the long-term economic success of our state – and our public ports are critical to ensuring Illinois remains an economic engine for the nation,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “Already, Illinois is a global hub for the nation’s commerce and transportation. This funding will allow the state’s ports to build on that status and further establish Illinois as a national hub for the shipping and logistics industry while creating earning opportunities for local residents.”

Applications are due June 11.

In addition to the $110 million, $40 million has been committed to a new inland port in Cairo at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

Rebuild Illinois was passed in 2019 and will invest $33.2 billion over six years to update the state’s aging transportation system. It will fund all modes of transportation: aviation, waterways, transit, roads and bridges, freight and passenger rail, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.