Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP)
Grant
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP). There are several program requirements. Please take a few minutes to review the following information concerning the various types of grants available and who is eligible to apply for funds.

CDAP Technical Assistance Newsletters

Competitive Communities Initiative (CCI)
Assistance
CCI is based on the belief that local communities are in the best position to positively affect their own futures, and that a rigorous self-assessment is the first step a community can take toward its improvement. CCI helps communities by facilitating a process that includes developing an organizational structure to be successful, performing a local self-assessment, and developing an action/implementation plan that can serve as a blueprint for the community. CCI specialists work with municipalities, counties and neighborhoods, including combinations and variations thereof.

For information call 217/558-2859.

Governor's Home Town Awards Program
Program
Volunteers are making a difference in communities across Illinois. Yet their efforts often go unheralded by their fellow citizens--even though these efforts contribute to the overall quality of life in the community.

There is a way to make sure that the volunteers in your community receive the thanks and recognition they deserve. Nominate them to compete in the Governor's Home Town Awards competition!

Revolving Fund (RF)
NOTE: The Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has undergone a name change. Any reference to the RLF will now be Revolving Fund (RF).
Loan
Since 1983, DCEO has awarded approximately $140 million in Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) Economic Development grants to more than 180 local units of government throughout the state to help them provide financial assistance to businesses locating or expanding within their boundaries. As financial assistance projects are repaid, the communities place the moneys in locally-administered Revolving Funds (RFs) that can be used to fund future economic development opportunities within each community. An estimated $100 million of those funds are already back in circulation, helping more than 3,300 businesses obtain the capital they need to expand operations in communities.

Revolving Fund Communities

Local Government Management Services
Resource
Information and technical assistance is provided to local government officials on a variety of issues including: meeting the requirements of Illinois law and sound budget practices and financial reports to enable governing boards to monitor revenues and spending while maintaining a strong financial position.

In addition, the office advises the state's smaller local governments on how to keep utility user charges in line with debt and operating costs and how to finance costly improvements to the systems in order to meet the growth needs of residents and local businesses. Also, each year a number of financial management workshops are held around the state to meet the specific needs of the state's smaller municipalities.