CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Have an idea for a new park, school, library, or community center in your neighborhood? Well, Mayor Lightfoot wants your ideas, and in return you could receive $1.5 million to make your vision come to life.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday that applications are now open for the Chicago Works Community Challenge, an unprecedented $10 million competition to find the best public works projects in each of Chicago’s seven planning regions.
"The Chicago Works Community Challenge provides an opportunity for all of our residents to tell us what infrastructure projects they want to see in their neighborhoods," said Mayor Lightfoot, in a statement. "While seven projects will ultimately be selected, every idea we receive through this initiative will be forwarded to city agencies for future consideration, as a part of our overarching five-year capital plan. I encourage residents from all walks of life to participate in this challenge, which makes neighborhood investment a collaborative effort."
Projects eligible for funding through the Chicago Works Community Challenge include new investments in public parks, schools, libraries, city-run community centers, and city-owned vacant lots.
Applications are open to all City of Chicago residents and are due by Monday, Aug. 30. Community groups and nonprofits based in Chicago are also invited to submit proposals to the challenge.
All submissions that meet the guidelines for selection will be subject to a "thorough community engagement and evaluation process" that will lead to a shortlist of projects for each of the seven planning regions. Seven winning projects will be selected by the end of this year based on feasibility, design, community input, and community impact.
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