Kankakee Times

State Representative Jackie Haas announced a funding opportunity for local fire departments in a Facebook post dated December 11. She said, "Applications are due by February 28, 2025."

"Local Fire Departments looking to rehabilitate or build a fire station may be interested in $5 million in grant funding available to fire departments across the state," said Haas, according to Facebook. "Applications are due by February 28, 2025."

According to the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s website, the Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant is now open for applications. Grantees could receive up to $350,000. To qualify, applicants must have participated in the National Fire Reporting System (NFIRS) for at least two years before applying for this grant. Additionally, they must be registered under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act and possess their own Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Applicants must also demonstrate that the fire station will operate as such for at least a decade.

Screenshot of State Rep. Jackie Haas' Dec. 11 Facebook post | State Representative Jackie Haas' Facebook page

Applications will be evaluated based on space need and financial need. In terms of space need, considerations include whether an applicant does not own a fire station and wishes to build one, needs funds for rehabilitation of an existing station, or cannot construct or rehabilitate without a grant due to geographical distance or availability issues. Financial need considerations include the total budget of the applicant as an available resource, population served, square miles covered, or if rehabilitation and construction costs are prohibitively expensive given these factors.

Applications are due by February 28, 2025. Further information can be found on the State Fire Marshal's website.

Haas was elected to represent Illinois’ 79th House District in December 2020. According to her biography from the Illinois General Assembly, she serves as CEO of the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Health and previously worked as a social worker at Riverside Medical Center. Haas holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago.