The Kane County Board on Tuesday granted nearly $900,000 in wishes from area government bodies and private organizations for cash from the county’s newly established block grant program.
One of the largest grants goes to the Village of Montgomery, which will receive $100,000 for flood plain buyouts and demolition.
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Approval came only after County Board member Dennis Kosinski (R-Elgin) questioned why 20 percent of the more than $1.1 million allotted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is going to the county’s Development Department, which is charged with administering the program.
“The policy is that programs have to pay their own way,” said Kane development director Phil Bus, who said the money goes toward everything from salaries to light bills. “No general funds go toward administering the program and HUD encouraged us to use all of (the 20 percent).”
Of the 51 requests received by the commission, 14 were funded. The grants will help support such things as affordable housing, the homeless, infrastructure and public facilities.