SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced his advocacy efforts have led to the successful award of a $2.7 million grant to fund the construction of a new multi-use paths in Chicago Heights and the Village of Park Forest. The grant was awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“This is an investment into connecting our communities with safe and accessible infrastructure,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I will continue to fight on behalf of the residents of 40^th District for the funding their communities deserve.”

A total of $2.45 million will go to the construction of a new shared use path in Park Forest. The project will extend the shared use path from the intersection of Westwood and Norwood Boulevard and run east down 26^th Street where it will cross Western Avenue at the signalized intersection. The path will then continue east on 26^th Street and connect to the Thorn Creek Trail within the Cook County Forest Preserve. 

Additionally, $277,000 will go to the McEldowney Park Underpass Improvement Project in the Chicago Heights. The project, under U.S. Route 30 and Lincoln Highway, involves realigning and replacing the asphalt pathway, installation of pathway lighting, way-finding signage, fencing and hazardous bridge removal.

“From the Kankakee River cleanup to the Manhattan Round Barn restoration, getting the funding to make the 40^th District a beautiful place to live in continues to be a top priority for me,” said Joyce. “As always, my office is listening to the voices of our residents to find what projects are important.”

The grant is part of IDOT’s commitment to improving non-motorized transportation options and supporting local infrastructure development across Illinois.