Joliet projects advance in congressional funding bill

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, announced Tuesday that his 10 proposals for the Community Project Funding Program have cleared the first hurdle in the funding process.

Six of the proposals would fund projects in Joliet, including $3 million for a plan from the Housing Authority of Joliet to convert the former Joliet Country Club into an affordable housing community.

“The inclusion of this funding in the draft bills is the first step in the funding process,” stated a news release from Foster’s office. “The bills now move to the full Appropriations Committee, consideration on the House Floor, and negotiations with the Senate. The legislation must be approved by both the House and Senate and signed by the President before funding is final.”

The $3 million for the Joliet Country Club project is down from Foster’s initial request of $9.25 million but would aid the Housing Authority of Joliet in an acquisition and redevelopment of the closed golf course property.

HAJ plans to convert the 147-acre property into housing and other amenities for low- and middle-income working families.

The Foster proposals in the funding bill also include:

• $3 million for the Joliet Area Historical Museum to rehabilitate buildings at the Old Joliet Prison on Collins Street;

• $2 million for Stepping Stones, Inc. to build an eight-unit apartment building for mothers and their children on the agency’s property at Plainfield Road and Theodore Street;

• $3.5 million for the city of Joliet to replace aging water mains and offset costs of the Lake Michigan water project;

• $1 million for Cornerstone Services in Joliet to build a Wellness Center with professional offices, bathrooms, a fitness club, warming kitchen and large meeting room

• $300,000 for building renovations of the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic at 213 E. Cass St. in Joliet.