Program Description Section 8a(1) of the Illinois Promotion Act (20 ILCS 665/1 et seq.) authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to award grants to counties, municipalities, units of local government, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups and for-profit businesses for the development or improvement of tourism attractions in Illinois. Tourism Attractions are defined as fishing and hunting areas, State parks, historical/cultural sites, areas of historic or scenic interest, museums, recreation areas, botanical gardens, theme/amusement parks, interpretive programs and other facilities or businesses that attract or serve visitors that are open to the public for a minimum of 100 days per year (if the tourism attraction is entirely event-driven, then it shall be open for a minimum of 200 hours per year), and are marketed and promoted to visitors from more than 50 miles away.
TA Session - Tourism Attraction Grant Program (420-25-2168) Thursday 10/9/25 10-11am. Registration link - https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/r2b3d6432abf82a39b81bea283b5338e0 *-These will be recorded so if you miss one the link will be provided on the opportunity page under technical assistance session.
Tourism Private Sector Grant Program:
Section 5(b) of the Illinois Promotion Act (20 ILCS 665) authorizes the Department to make grants to Illinois not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, counties, municipalities and local promotion groups to match funds from sources in the private sector for the purpose of attracting and hosting tourism events in Illinois and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing Illinois festivals. Tourism Event is defined as an event, such as a major convention, trade show, sporting activity or festival, with potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius and to produce significantly increased economic impact for the State of Illinois through overnight stays. Tourism Festival is defined as an organized series of public activities for a specific duration that may include, but are not limited to, cultural performances, exhibitions, fairs, or carnivals that may include music and the service of food and beverages.
TA Session - Tourism Private Sector Grant Program (420-25-2167) Wednesday 10/8/25 2-3pm. Registration link - https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/r51b6e8eab5fe9c671cb30ceeb8472fbe *-These will be recorded so if you miss one the link will be provided on the opportunity page under technical assistance session.
Marketing Partnership Program:
Program Description Section5 (a) f the Illinois Promotion Act [20 ILCS 665/5-8] authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to award grants to counties, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and local promotion groups for the promotion of tourism attractions, destinations and tourism events in Illinois. This particular opportunity is for projects outside Cook County. The complementary program for projects within Cook County is NOFO #: 2097-3163.
TA Session - Marketing Partnership Program (Cook and Downstate), Thursday 10/9/25 2pm - https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/r4d79379e919dcee3a4db17380dfeab90
*-These will be recorded so if you miss one the link will be provided on the opportunity page under technical assistance session.
Direct link to the general DCEO posting site for application documents: Apply for Funding - Grant Opportunities
Safe Routes to School Grant
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to improve the safety and accessibility of student travel. IDOT is seeking applications for their 2025 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant program.
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program provides federal funding administered by IDOT to support projects that encourage safe, active transportation options for students traveling to and from school. This includes walking, biking, and rolling—helping reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and air pollution while supporting healthier communities.
Projects eligible for funding include but are not limited to:
● Construction of new sidewalks or paths
● Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
● Traffic calming improvements
● Public education and outreach programs
● Accessibility enhancements for students with disabilities
Eligible applicants include:
● School districts
● Local governments
● Metropolitan planning organizations
● Nonprofit organizationsApplication Deadline: October 13, 2025
$5 Million – Illinois Overflow and Sewer Grant
Purpose: Supports local governments in addressing combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and stormwater management to improve water quality.
Eligible Applicants: Government Organizations.
· No match required for:
o Rural communities (population < 10,000)
o Financially distressed communities (population <30,000 with median household income <70% of the state average.
Deadline: January 1, 2027, or until all funds have been expended.
Apply via: Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
$788,000 – Gulf Hypoxia Program
Purpose: Reduce nitrate pollution in Illinois surface waters by funding nonpoint source edge-of-field control projects as part of the Gulf Hypoxia Program.
Eligible Practices:
1. Denitrifying Bioreactors – Remove nitrates from water
2. Saturated Buffers – Filter water before it reaches streams
3. Constructed Wetlands – Treat and clean water
Eligible Applicants: Individuals, Small Businesses, Others, Government Organizations, Education Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, For-Profit Organizations.
· Projects must be in priority watersheds where water drains into the Gulf of Mexico and use at least one of the above best management practices.
Deadline: January 1, 2027, or until all funds have been expended.
Apply via: Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
