Schakowsky Hosts Forum on Federal Government Resources for Municipalities and Schools
SKOKIE, IL (August 26, 2011) — TodayRep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), held a forum to provide municipal leaders and school district officials information on federal funding and procurement opportunities.
Every municipality, school district superintendent and library in Rep. Schakowsky's 9th Congressional district was invited to Oakton Community College to hear presentations from federal agency representatives about opportunities to apply for federal funding and assistance. Speakers included Ann Kalayil, Region 5 Administrator for the General Services Administration, Andrew Velasquez, Region 5 Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ken Bennett Region 5 Representative for U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and the U.S. Department of Labor, Julie Ewart of the U.S. Department of Education, Debbie Baltazar of the Environmental Protection Agency and Byron Zuidema of the Employment and Training Administration.
Topics ranged from how to take advantage of the federal government's favorable pricing option to purchase computers, to how to finance critical water infrastructure projects to competitive funding opportunities available for schools, and programs for workforce development.
"Federal funding for these services have been reduced significantly by the national fiscal crisis and changes that were made by the current Congress that impact the way municipalities can obtain funding,... said Rep. Schakowsky. "With less federal funding likely to be available, and with Congress having prohibited earmarks, it has become even more important for municipalities, schools and potential grantees to improve their capacity to identify, apply for, and obtain competitive federal funding and take advantage of procurement opportunities....
Mayors in attendance included Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen and Glenview Mayor Kerry Cummings. Eight school superintendents from Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Fairview, Union Ridge, East Maine, and Morton Grove also attended the forum.
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CONTACT: Adjoa Adofo; 202.225.2111
adjoa.adofo@mail.house.gov