The Office of the Governor of the State of Illinois
08/05/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Gov. Pritzker Announces Regional Site Readiness Program Grant Awards
Site Ready Illinois grants provide $35 million for 22 sites to spur infrastructure improvements, community renewal, and industrial economic development
CHAMPAIGN - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Regional Site Readiness Program awards totaling $35 million to support site readiness activities at 22 sites across Illinois. To date, the State has awarded $115 million to support 63 projects across Illinois in their site preparedness efforts.
The Regional Site Readiness Program prepares sites to attract future industrial investment and new job opportunities across Illinois. Industrial economic development at the 22 sites will be supported by two types of competitive funding opportunities: 11 Planning grants to support due diligence activities, studies and site plans, and 11 Capital Ready grants to support capital infrastructure improvements.
"The Regional Site Readiness Program is a powerful example of Team Illinois in action: State government, local leaders, federal partners, and the private sector all coming together to build a stronger economy and create new opportunities for communities in our state," said Governor JB Pritzker. "From planning grants to complete environmental studies, engineering, and site assessments, to capital grants to build roads, extend utilities, and improve water and sewer infrastructure, we are removing the barriers that stand between empty sites and opportunity for communities across our state."
"This latest round of Site Ready Illinois funding will support industrial economic development through two funding opportunities," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "While industrial businesses invest in our communities, we're investing alongside them, creating jobs and ensuring they have the support to thrive."
Strategically located in the Midwest, Illinois' skilled workforce, world-class research institutions, and robust transportation and logistics infrastructure make it ideal for businesses seeking opportunity and long-lasting growth. The Regional Site Readiness Program builds upon the State's efforts to support communities and landowners in their site readiness planning, assessments, and infrastructure improvements. This includes addressing the financial barriers faced when gathering information and making infrastructure improvements. The program will increase the number of sites available with completed due diligence and utility infrastructure, which increases Illinois' speed-to-market options for industrial projects.
This investment is part of Governor Pritzker's $500 million FY2026 site readiness initiative, the most significant investment in state history to make more sites across Illinois ready for business. This includes $200 million for DCEO's Site Ready Illinois and the Regional Site Readiness Program. It also includes $300 million for the Surplus to Success program, led by Central Management Services, to prepare idle State-owned properties for private development.
"The State's investments in the Regional Site Readiness Program are preparing sites for business across all 10 of our Economic Development Regions," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "With double the funding available for the program, this second round of grants is supporting 30 grantees across Illinois as they ready their sites for business attraction and development."
"The Regional Site Readiness Program is helping communities compete for tomorrow's investment," said Illinois Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Christy George. "Illinois has outstanding locations for business expansion. This latest round of awards strengthens Illinois' ability to attract new jobs and business investment by improving the infrastructure and site readiness that companies look for when making location decisions."
Following historic momentum and investments in Illinois, the State is positioned to pursue and win ambitious large-scale industrial business development projects though the Site Ready Illinois initiative. The State will expand its efforts to make sites ready for business attraction and business development by funding energy infrastructure to reduce long lead times, and helping municipalities, economic development organizations, and landowners prepare sites for investment.
"Through Site Readiness Planning and Capital Ready grants, the State of Illinois is setting communities up for success as they seek major industrial business development projects," said Senator Paul Faraci (D - Champaign). "We're building upon our world-class infrastructure by supporting site readiness activities at dozens of sites throughout the state."
"The Regional Site Readiness Program grant awarded to the Urbana & Champaign Sanitary District is a great example of what can be accomplished through strong regional partnerships," said Mayor of Champaign, Deborah Frank Feinen. "This collaborative effort between the District, City of Champaign, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and The Atkins Group will help expand wastewater capacity serving Apollo Industrial Park, strengthening the site's readiness for future industrial development. Investments like this position our community to compete for new opportunities in manufacturing and bioprocessing, while creating the potential for high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for Champaign and the entire region."
"Champaign County would like to express our gratitude to DECO and the Governor's Office for the nearly $4 million grant to the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District," said Champaign County Executive, Steve Summers. "This funding will provide needed infrastructure to bring new economic development opportunities to our county,"
DCEO is investing in planning activities such as environmental due diligence, preliminary engineering costs, and regional site prioritization reports, as well as capital improvements, such as road or water infrastructure, to increase the number of sites ready for industrial development.
Capital Ready Grants Program Recipients:
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Planning Grants Program Recipients: |
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"Reliable infrastructure is the foundation of a growing community, and investments like this ensure our wastewater system is prepared to serve businesses well into the future," said Urbana & Champaign Sanitary District Executive Director, Rick Manner. "This grant allows us to make improvements that will strengthen wastewater capacity across the north side of Champaign and Urbana, including Apollo Industrial Park, for decades to come. While the construction itself will support local jobs in the near term, the lasting impact will be creating the infrastructure needed to attract private investment, support future industrial development, and create high-quality jobs throughout our region. We're grateful to the State of Illinois for investing in site readiness infrastructure, and to our local economic development partners for their collaboration and support."
"This award represents the next step in a long-term strategy to strengthen Champaign County's industrial competitiveness," stated Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and Chief Partnerships Officer of the iFAB Tech Hub. "In 2025, the Champaign County EDC was awarded a DCEO planning grant to partner with the Urbana & Champaign Sanitary District, City of Champaign, and The Atkins Group to evaluate wastewater infrastructure needs at Apollo Industrial Park. That planning effort identified the improvements necessary to support future industrial growth and laid the foundation for this capital investment, transforming planning into action. We're grateful to Governor Pritzker and DCEO for recognizing the importance of site readiness and investing in infrastructure that will help our region attract investment, compete for jobs, and create opportunities for continued economic growth."
The Regional Site Readiness Program recipients were selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that was open to local governments, economic development organizations, and private landowners. Grants ranged from just over $90,000 to $5 million. Following Governor Pritzker doubling the funding available for the Regional Site Readiness Program, the first wave of round two awards were announced in April.
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is the largest capital program in Illinois history. The $45 billion investment is supporting improvements to the state's infrastructure, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth.
"With support from the Regional Site Readiness Planning Grant Program, Peoria County will be able to complete a site planning and infrastructure improvement assessment to prepare a local site for industrial development," said Leader Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) "The State's investments in these planning activities will spur economic development in our community."
"As Illinois doubles its Regional Site Readiness investments, the program continues to provide much-needed funding for both planning and capital infrastructure improvements," said Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) "By growing the number of sites ready for business, the State is prioritizing industrial development that will bolster local economies and create opportunities for Illinoisans."
"We are working hard to secure key supports for industry and labor here in Western Illinois," said State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island). "Infrastructure investments provide more economic activity in our region, more jobs and ultimately, more money in workers' pockets. We are laying the groundwork to propel Western Illinois' economy forward, and I am proud to see State dollars going to good use."
"I'm thrilled to see the continued success of the Regional Site Readiness Program," said Representative Gregg Johnson (D-East Moline) "The state's commitment to prioritizing site preparation and planning is pivotal to expanding economic growth and opportunity across the state."
"The Regional Site Readiness Program is critical to the state's efforts to expand development," said Representative Dave Vella (D-Rockford) "This funding will not only improve infrastructure but create jobs and increase economic growth across the state."
"I'm excited about the State's Regional Site Readiness Program laying the groundwork for investment all throughout our state - particularly here on the South Side," said Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago). "Funding and opportunities for economic development are pivotal to improving the lives of everyone in our community."
The Office of the Governor of the State of Illinois published this content on August 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 07, 2026 at 15:34 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]