City Awaits $2.5 Million in Federal Funding for Park Improvements and Sewer Relining

Casey City Council Meeting | April 20, 2026

Article Summary: Casey is currently navigating the final stages of securing two massive federal infrastructure appropriations, including a newly advancing $1,550,000 request for Fairview Park resurfacing and an already-awarded $1 million grant for sewer relining.

Infrastructure Grant Key Points:

• The city submitted a $1,550,000 Community Project Funding request through U.S. Congressman Mike Bost to completely resurface the deteriorated roadways in Fairview Park.

• The Fairview Park funding will depend on the final passage of the federal FY2027 budget.

• A separate $1 million federal grant for municipal sewer relining has already been officially awarded and signed by the President, though physical funds are still pending transfer.

During the Monday, April 20, 2026, meeting, the Casey City Council received highly positive updates regarding millions of dollars in federal appropriations aimed at overhauling local parks and sewer lines without significantly draining the city’s general fund.

Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee brought forward the good news regarding the local park system, announcing that the city had successfully advanced to the next legislative phase for a major federal funding request.

The city is seeking exactly $1,550,000 through a Community Project Funding request sponsored by U.S. Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12). The requested funds are specifically earmarked to resurface the deteriorating roadways inside Fairview Park and install new curbs.

According to the project’s official federal appropriations justification, Fairview Park serves as a “central community and economic asset for the City of Casey, supporting youth sports, community events, and tourism-related activity.” The city argues that upgrading the roadway infrastructure will “preserve public investment, improve the visitor experience, and strengthen the City’s ability to host events that generate local economic impact.”

Officials noted that the Fairview Park grant requires no local funding match, though the final awarded amount could potentially be adjusted during federal appropriation revisions. The city will not know if the funding is fully secured until the actual federal FY2027 budget is finalized and passed.

Mayor Mike Nichols also took the opportunity to clarify the status of a separate utility grant that had caused some local confusion. Nichols confirmed that the city has officially been awarded a $1 million federal grant specifically dedicated to sewer relining.

“That one did pass, and the President signed that,” Nichols confirmed. However, he cautioned that the bureaucratic process is ongoing. “We have not received the funds yet. We have not even received the grant agreement… but we are a thumbs up on that one.”