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PROPOSED GRANT AWARD
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Grantee: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”)
Grantor: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Request: Authorization to accept grant
Purpose: Authorization is sought for the Forest Preserves to accept a grant of up to $43,945.00 and to enter into a grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) under the Tourism Attraction Grant Program for the purchase of Global Research Innovation and Technology (GRIT) Freedom Chairs (all terrain manual wheelchairs) and disability awareness training.
Grant Amount: Up to $43,945.00
Grant Period: 7/1/2024 (retroactive) - 6/30/2025
Fiscal Impact: Not to Exceed $45,600.00 in direct match (FY 2024 $34,600.00, FY 2025, $11,000.00)
Accounts: Training Program Staff 51001.501905; Institutional Supplies 51001.530170; Professional Services 51001.520830; and grant accounts
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final grant agreement is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): Districtwide
Summary: The Forest Preserves recently received a Notice of Award for grant funding from the DCEO through its Tourism Attraction Grant Program to purchase specialized equipment to improve accessibility and inclusion at nature centers and campgrounds (i.e. purchase GRIT wheelchairs), fund accessibility programming for staff, and fund special accessibility events. The proposed grant award will support the purchase of a minimum of eleven (11) GRIT Freedom Chairs, all-terrain manual wheelchairs, that are a combination of manual wheelchair and mountain bike (See Board Item No. 24-0322) and provide Forest Preserves staff with disability awareness training to ensure that employees understand the accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities. The GRIT wheelchairs will be distributed to the Forest Preserves’ six (6) nature centers and three (3) year-round campgrounds, increasing patron accessibility for outdoor recreation and nature programs. This equipment will become part of the Forest Preserves’ Outdoor Gear Library, an initiative that ensures that people do not face financial barriers participating in outdoor recreation and nature-based activities.
The total project costs are estimated to be $89,545.00, with the Forest Preserves contributing a direct match of up to $45,600.00 and the DCEO grant funds covering the rest of the costs. This DCEO Tourism Attraction Grant would therefore cover 100% of the cost of the GRIT Freedom Chairs up to $43,945.00. The rest of the matching Forest Preserve funds would be used for shipping costs of the wheelchairs, the purchase of a trailer to transport the GRIT Freedom Chairs, and staff programming and accessibility training. The proposed project was originally set to start January 1, 2024. However, due to a delay in awarding this grant, the Forest Preserves did not receive a Notice of Award from the DCEO until June 1, 2024. Due to this initial delay, the DCEO will not be able to provide and execute a final grant agreement with the Forest Preserves until at least August of 2024. However, the DCEO has informed the Forest Preserves that the initial grant dates are expected to be July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 and that approved pre-award project costs beginning January 1, 2024 will be reimbursable. Because the DCEO has informed the Forest Preserves that no extensions for this grant will be permitted, the Forest Preserves is seeking authorization to accept the grant funds now to avoid further delays to the project.
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