PEKIN (WEEK) -- The City of Pekin is set to receive $248,357 in community development block grants, according to a release from U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.

Provided through the CARES Act, CDBG funding helps states, counties, and cities rapidly respond to COVID-19 and the economic and housing impacts caused by it, including the expansion of community health facilities, child care centers, food banks, and senior services.

“This federal funding gives local communities much-needed flexibility in providing housing and other supportive services for people in need,” Senator Dick Durbin said.  “Families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness are among our state’s most vulnerable."

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Illinois lost more than 850,000 residents to other states during the past decade, causing the state’s population to shrink for six consecutive years and suffer the largest raw decline of any state in the 2010s.

Though many assume Illinois’ cold, wet winters and hot, humid summers are to blame, people are likelier to leave the state for better job or housing opportunities. The largest group leaving were prime working-age residents, which erodes the state’s future.

Being one of only four states seeing population losses during the past decade is a big problem. It makes Illinois poorer and less diverse. It also exposes the deeper problems of jobs and housing.

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Representatives from Macoupin Housing Services (MHS) and the Macoupin County Housing Authority (MCHA) cut the ribbons on three tax credit housing developments in the county at ceremonies held Sept. 23.

Home tours were available to area residents and local dignitaries at the 14 homes built in Staunton, nine in Bunker Hill and 15 in Gillespie. The homes were built through a low-income housing tax credit created under the 1986 Tax Reform Act. It gives incentives for the use of private equity in the development of affordable housing aimed at low-income Americans. The program is administered at the state level through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), which receives a fixed allocation of credits based on population.

The homes have to meet strict requirements with regard to construction standards and energy efficiency.

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