Watch Footage of the Press Conference

July 1, 2025, State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) announced more than $10 million of state funding secured in the FY26 State budget to benefit the 67th District. Representative West was joined by community organizations and local leaders at Fair Grounds Park in Rockford to talk about this critical funding. Within this budget, Representative West secured funding for the following local projects:

• $3 million for the Family Peace Center
• $2 million for the Northern Illinois Land Bank
• $1.7 million to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
• $3.7 million for funding the Home Modification Program, including RAMP locally
• $500,000 to the Rockford Park District for upgrades to Fair Grounds Park
• $320,000 for the YWCA Northwestern Illinois
• $300,000 for infrastructure improvements to the City of Loves Park
• $300,000 for the Cherry Valley Fire Protection District to support regional firefighter training
• $40,000 for upgrades for Shelter Care Ministries
• $40,000 for upgrades for Northwest Community Center
• $60,000 for Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
• Nearly $1 million of continuing appropriations for GoRockford for talent acquisition and restaurant relief grants

“This year’s budget provides critical investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more while guarding against overreach that could threaten our hard-earned financial stability,” said State Rep. Maurice West. “Locally, I was able to secure millions of dollars for major investments that will support first responders, reduce blight, combat crime, assist non-profits, and so much more.  These investments for the Rockford region are critical for the support of our neighbors and to uplift diverse communities.”

“We greatly appreciate the assistance of Representative West and the State of Illinois,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “From upgrading parks to talent acquisition to supporting the expansion of the Family Peace Center, Rep. West is delivering on bringing dollars back to Rockford to care for those who live here, improve the quality of life, and support survivors!”

"Community Foundations are uniquely poised to efficiently administer geography-specific grants to organizations that might otherwise not have the capacity to apply for and manage state-level grant awards," said Sarah Lambert, Vice President of Programs and Community Investment at the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL). "When nonprofits can focus their time and energy on programs, not paperwork, our communities reap the benefits; we are proud to join Rep. West in serving the people of Illinois' 67th District and grateful to be a partner in this effort."

“Neighborhood parks play a vital role in the health and well-being of our community and investing in them continues to be a top priority for the Rockford Park District as stated by the citizens we serve,” said Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine. “Thanks to this funding we will be adding one of the most requested features, a walking path, at Fair Grounds Park.  Trails and path systems are not only a growing trend both locally and nationally, but they also boost economic development, increase property values, help retain our tax base, connect people and places, and unite residents through their common love of play. We cannot thank Representative West enough for advocating for us and valuing the importance of parks and recreation."

“Cherry Valley Fire is thankful to Representative West for his recognition of the good work that our firefighters do each and every day,” said Chief Kyle Hill, Cherry Valley Fire Protection District. “With his support of our project and the support of the State of Illinois, we will continue to provide the safest and best training possible to our present and future firefighters.”

“We are deeply grateful to Representative West for securing this critical investment in our community,” said Kris Machajewski, President & CEO at YWCA Northwestern Illinois. “This funding will allow YWCA Northwestern Illinois to make long-overdue capital improvements that strengthen our downtown infrastructure and expand our impact.”

“On behalf of the City of Loves Park, we appreciate all that State Representative Maurice West has done for the city,” said Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury. “With this funding, we will put it towards infrastructure improvements here in the City of Loves Park.”

“We are so grateful for Representative West’s continued commitment to the disability community and to the Home Modification program,” said Jackie Sundquist, Executive Director at RAMP. “While the need is great and current funding levels will not allow us to help everyone who needs it immediately, for the first time funding is available to provide real help to members of the disability community to safely remain within their homes, and we are committed to working with Representative West to increase funding and expand the good that this program does in future years.”

“Shelter Care is grateful for the work that Representative West put in to bring these funds to Rockford,” said Sarah Parker-Scanlon, Executive Director at Shelter Care Ministries. “We plan to use the funding to make improvements at two affordable rental properties - a single-family home that needs a new roof and a four-unit townhome that needs kitchen, flooring, and bathroom updates.”

“We are grateful for the infrastructure funds that will allow Northwest Community Center to continue furthering our mission: ‘to provide a place for the local community to gather, learn, and be social,’” said Nichol Fricks, Executive Director at Northwest Community Center. “Thank you, Representative Maurice West, for your support in making this possible!”

“We are incredibly thankful to Representative West for his continued support of our community and its economic well-being,” said John Groh, President/CEO of GoRockford. “The reappropriated funding ensures GoRockford can advance our Made for Rockford talent attraction initiative and continue providing vital relief to our local restaurants—two pillars of Rockford’s recovery and growth,”

“Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity sincerely thanks State Representative Maurice West for his steadfast leadership and commitment to the people of the 67th District,” said Keri Asevedo, Executive Director at Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. “We are proud to be recognized as part of the solution to the ongoing housing crisis affecting communities across the country, including right here in our own backyard of Rockford, and we applaud Rep. West for championing affordable housing and investing in efforts that directly uplift our community. His continued support helps ensure that more families have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes—strengthening neighborhoods and transforming lives.”