ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin highlighted progress on six major infrastructure projects across the Quad Cities that are addressing the need for improved transportation and economic growth.

“Illinois is getting serious about upgrading roads and bridges here in the Quad Cities,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “These projects will boost long-term economic growth and keep the Quad Cities moving forward.”

Approximately $66.4 million in funding is being invested into six major transportation infrastructure projects across the Quad Cities for all modes of transportation: roads, bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

Of the six projects, the three that are expected to be completed this year will deliver improvements to Interstate 280 over the Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. Mississippi River Bridge, John Deere Road in Moline, and Illinois 92 in Rock Island County. Construction projects on I-74/280 over Shaffer Creek, I-88 at 248^th Street North in Rock Island County, U.S. 67 (Centennial Bridge) over Mississippi River, and U.S. 150 in Coal Valley were completed in June and July. The two remaining projects will begin in 2025, bringing road and bridge repairs to I-80 from the Rock River to U.S. 6 in Henry County and Illinois 84 in Colona from the Rock River to 0.2 miles north of U.S. 6.

ROCK ISLAND – With support from State Senator Mike Halpin and State Representative Gregg Johnson, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“The Quad Cities is home to many amazing small businesses that provide the community with places to go and jobs for our local economy,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “It’s great to see the state making investments back into these small businesses so they can plan for the future.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Nine restaurants in the Quad Cities area will receive a combined total of $360,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“This funding recognizes the impact small businesses and family-owned restaurants have on our area,” said Johnson (D-East Moline). “The COVID-19 pandemic hit us all hard, and it’s good to see funding coming back home to help small businesses for the long run.”

For more information about Back to Business grants, visit DCEO’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law spearheaded by State Senator Mike Halpin marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program.

“This will make it easier for students who live in Illinois to go to college in Illinois,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We all want to keep more students in-state for college, and this new law will actually do something to help.”

Beginning with the 2019-20 academic year, the Aspirational Institutional Match Helping Illinois Grow Higher Education (AIM HIGH) program has provided merit-based, means-tested financial aid to first-time, full-time undergraduate students and transfer students who are Illinois residents attending any of the 12 Illinois public four-year universities. AIM HIGH-participating universities are required to provide matching funding for institutional awards for students who meet certain eligibility requirements, as well as those established by each individual university.

MACOMB – State Senator Mike Halpin announced that Galesburg and Macomb are set to receive a combined total of $3 million through the Community Development Block Grant for public infrastructure, which enables communities in non-metropolitan areas to make critical repairs to water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure to enhance safety and quality of life for residents.

“Clean water is essential to our daily life, but maintaining these complex systems is not easy or cheap,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I couldn't be happier for Galesburg and Macomb for being awarded a combined $3 million for water and sewer infrastructure.”

Public infrastructure grants are designed to provide communities with funding to improve public infrastructure and eliminate conditions detrimental to public health, safety, and public welfare. As part of the annual CDBG program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $48.5 million for 41 infrastructure projects across the state. These projects include construction of storm sewer pipes, waterline replacements, hydrant and water storage tank construction, and other critical projects that help mitigate flooding and support sewage management, water delivery and other public water necessities.