SCHAKOWSKY ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DES PLAINES

DECEMBER 13, 2004

SCHAKOWSKY ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR DES PLAINES

DES PLAINES, IL - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today announced that she successfully secured more than one million dollars in federal funding for Des Plaines. The federal dollars were included in the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations spending bill.

During a news conference at City Hall with Mayor Anthony Arredia, Schakowsky announced that Des Plaines would be receiving $1,000,000, of which a portion would be used to assist the city with its ongoing flood relief efforts. The funds would be used for the reconstruction of deteriorating and poorly-drained alleys, including the construction of storm sewers and new concrete pavement which would help address the issue of backyard flooding. Additionally, the city will use the funds to construct sidewalks along arterial and collector roads where they do not currently exist

Schakowsky also announced that the Des Plaines Community Senior Center has been awarded $72,750 for a vital expansion project. Sharon Smith, the Executive Director of the Center, also attended the event.

"At a time when cities like Des Plaines are spending their own dollars to improve the quality of life for their residents, federal funding is a critical boost to that effort. I am pleased to have succeeded in securing one million dollars for alley and sidewalk enhancements for Des Plaines and for city's ongoing flood relief efforts and thousands of dollars to expand the community senior center. I look forward to working with Mayor Arredia and other local elected officials to bring much needed federal funds to the 9th Congressional District," said Schakowsky.

"The cooperation between the City of Des Plaines and its elected officials has been outstanding over the years and this is another example of the support provided when it is most needed," said Mayor Tony Arredia.

Schakowsky was successful in securing millions of dollars in federal resources for top priorities across the 9th Congressional District, including funding for education, health care, law enforcement and transportation improvements.