10th District Set For $11.8 Million In Federal Funding In House Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the passage of a $460 billion package of spending bills by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Congressman Brad Schneider touted nearly $12 million in funding to local projects included in the bill.

The House voted 339-85 to send the legislation through the the Senate before a midnight Friday deadline to prevent a government shutdown.

Because so many of his fellow Republican members opposed the bill, Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to utilize the expedited process of "suspending the rules" to get the bill up for a vote, requiring a two-thirds majority.

Bills to fund federal agencies are more than five months past due, according to the Associated Press, and lawmakers continue to negotiate a second funding package ahead of a March 22 deadline.

Schneider, a Highland Park Democrat, said in a statement that 13 of his Community Project Funding requests had been included in the latest appropriations bill.

That program, enacted in 2021, includes financial disclosures and is only available to governments and some nonprofit entities. In fiscal year 2023, Congress spent $15.3 billion for about 7,200 projects through this process, according to the Government Accountability Office.

“Each project requested and funded represents progress, and the potential to transform our communities," Schneider said. "From upgrades to critical infrastructure to creating new spaces for business and community events, these initiatives will benefit constituents across the district."

According to Schneider's office, he initially requested about $40 million in funding to 15 projects to the House Appropriations Committee, while the bill that passed the full chamber included $11.8 million for 13 projects.

“I am eager to see this funding passed by the Senate and signed into law to ensure these extraordinary opportunities to strengthen our communities are realized.”

A list of the projects that Schneider's office are set to receive funding from the latest are below in alphabetical order:

1. Archer Business Center (Proposed Arts and Business Center): Rehabilitation of an industrial building into an arts and business hub in downtown Mundelein.
2. George B Prindle Water Treatment Plant, Intake Improvements: Upgrade to Highland Park's water treatment plant, which serves six communities, to improve its raw water intake.
3. HACES Educational Center Facility Expansion: Expansion and renovation to enhance educational services for more than 10,000 disadvantaged families in Waukegan.
4. New Century Town – Centrifuge Project – Water Reclamation Facility Upgrades: Modernization of a wastewater treatment facility in a Vernon Hills subdivision that will benefit 27,000 residents.
5. Pace Washington Street (Lake County) Transit Signal Priority: Implementation of a transit signal priority system to reduce ride times.
6. Roof Rehabilitation of the North Suburban YMCA: Repairs to ensure the facility's ongoing ability to serve the community.
7. Round Lake Beach Public Works Parking Lot and Fuel Tanks Upgrade: Infrastructure improvements for the village's public works facility.
8. Seminary Ravine Improvements: Restoration efforts in Lake Forest to prevent erosion and protect existing sewer systems.
9. The Hero Project Center Renovations: Renovations to expand workforce and career training programs at an existing Waukegan facility.
10. Waukegan Neighborhood School Lead Service Line Replacement: Lead service line replacements for lines that feed into Waukegan District 60 and surrounding homes, improving lead exposure and improving water for residents.
11. Wildwood Water Main Replacement Project: Infrastructure improvements to ensure clean drinking water in Wildwood by replacing an aging water main.
12. Winnetka Green Bay Trail Accessibility and Connectivity Project: Enhancements to improve access and usability of the Green Bay Trail in Winnetka, with repairs to a 2.2 mile segment enhancing accessibility and connectivity.
13. Wonder Lake East Side Water System: Construction of new water infrastructure and treatment systems in Wonder Lake to reduce runoff of untreated sewage and address septic system failures.