U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chair of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, announced that the Appropriations Committee has approved all 10 of the Chicago-area community projects that he submitted for funding consideration.
One of the projects is the Center on Halsted Youth Housing Program. This project will allow the Center on Halsted to enhance its Youth Housing Program through the acquisition and renovation of transitional housing for Chicago's LGBTQ+ and ally youth who are experiencing homelessness, violence, and trauma, with a special focus on LGBTQ youth of color. Enhanced housing will contribute to the success and independence of LGBTQ+ and allied youth as well as the revitalization of local neighborhoods where the housing is located.
Also approved was a project connected with The Night Ministry, which serves thousands of Chicagoans annually who are experiencing poverty and homelessness, providing access to healthcare and housing to those most in need. Among the programs operated by the organization is the Night Ministry's Health Outreach Bus, which, six nights a week, serves individuals experiencing homelessness across several neighborhoods of the city.
Items linked with the Chicago COPS Integrated Intelligence Strategy Program; Chicago Public Schools; Critical Infrastructure Improvements for Visitor Safety, Animal Welfare, and Energy Efficiency at Lincoln Park Zoo; Grand Avenue and George Street traffic safety enhancement; the Illinois Masonic Dental Clinic; Lincoln Park ADA Accessibility; an Elmhurst stormwater improvement project; and a grade separation of the West Grand Avenue Highway and the Metra rail tracks also received approval.