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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 (...
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