Angela Black
There were three Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by the county that were included in the federal FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The $975,000 in federal funding request was approved and will support critical local needs, including upgrades to the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District, investment in a behavioral health workforce initiative, and supporting the county’s Opioid Overdose Intervention Program. The spending package was signed into law this week by President Joe Biden.
“This funding is a significant investment in the health and safety of our communities,” said County Executive Bertino-Tarrant. “I am thankful for the efforts of Senator Duckworth and Senator Durbin who continue to champion for the needs of Will County.”
The legislation will include $500,000 to support upgrades to the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District, ensuring a safe drinking water and sanitary systems for 700 households in unincorporated Preston Heights, in partnership with the City of Joliet. The current water system is in disrepair, and the sanitary system exceeds the maximum capacity for wastewater treatment, which could result in backups and increased risk of wastewater overflows into the community. By addressing the public infrastructure needs, Will County can support other redevelopment efforts in the Sugar Run Creek Neighborhood Plan.
“There is no more basic necessity than a well-functioning clean water and sanitary system,” said Will County Board Member Herb Brooks, Jr. (Dist. 8) “This investment in the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District’s water and sewer infrastructure will improve the quality of life for the residents and encourage economic development in this area. Receiving these funds is a good start to getting the entire system replaced.”
The legislation allocates $475,000 to strengthen Will County’s fight against opioid abuse, including $300,000 being provided to the Will County Behavioral Health Workforce Project. This project provides career training, supportive services, and educational resources to individuals, including veterans, recovering from substance use disorder and provides entry-level jobs to participants through local community organizations.
Also included is $175,000 to Will County’s Rapid Response Team, which deploys Naloxone to high-risk communities and helps individuals with a substance use disorder connect to recovery resources.
“Opioid use and deaths remain a priority in Will County,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “This funding will empower our Rapid Response Team to save lives and connect people with the treatment to support their path to recovery.”