American rescue plan act awarded as economic assistance to eligible U.S. Airports and eligible concessions at those airports to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the covid-19 pandemic

The Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Great Lakes Region awarded a $2.56 million project grant to the Illinois Department of Transportation under the Airport Improvement Program, CFDA 20.106. The grant provides economic relief funding to eligible Illinois airports and airport concessions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding supports costs related to airport operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitation, debt service payments, and combating the spread of pathogens.

The grant also includes $100,000 sub-awards to the City of Peru and Mount Vernon Airport Authority for economic assistance to general aviation airports. The sub-awards will help these local entities address pandemic-related needs. The project grant period runs from August 23, 2021 to August 22, 2025 and aims to stabilize Illinois' airport system during the ongoing public health emergency.

Activities and expected outcomes

This grant provides economic relief funds for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments, and combating the spread of pathogens at the airport. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports in the illinois state block grant program.