Village of Berkeley Among 19 Communities Receiving Funds for New Fire Trucks
Berkeley, Ill. – Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Chris Meister this week issued nearly $7.2 million in no interest or low interest loans to emergency responders across the state. The Village of Berkeley is one of the 19 communities eligible to apply for these loans, which are made available through the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program. Additionally, six communities are eligible to receive funding for new ambulances through the Ambulance Revolving Loan Program.
“Our emergency responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they need safe and reliable vehicles to get the job done,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why I’m proud that my administration is ensuring that fire departments across the state can purchase the fire trucks and ambulance they need to save lives.”
“I’m grateful Governor Pritzker continues to prioritize making smart investments in our communities that need it most,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “Our first responders deserve quality vehicles to properly respond to emergencies, and these funds will make that possible for departments across Illinois.”
“Without programs such as our Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan, many departments would have to continue to repair vehicles that are not reliable anymore and never be able to afford a new fire truck or ambulance,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. “The OSFM thanks Governor Pritzker for his commitment to our first responders and safety of our state’s residents.”
“A staffed fire truck or ambulance must be available to service time-sensitive emergencies in every community in Illinois,” said Illinois Finance Authority Executive Director Chris Meister. “Economically beneficial loans are one path to help meet this essential need. We thank Governor Pritzker and Fire Marshal Rivera for the opportunity to help finance the vehicles needed by first responders across Illinois.”
The Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program (FTRL) and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program (ARLP) are designed to assist departments or cities in purchasing emergency vehicles that they may not otherwise be able to afford. Under the FTRL program, fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments may apply for up to $350,000 in low interest or no interest loans for purchase of a fire truck or brush trucks. The loans must be repaid within 20 years.
Under the ARLP program, units of local government and not-for-profit ambulance service providers can apply for no interest or low interest loans of up to $200,000. These loans must be paid back in 10 years.
A complete list of recipients from the FRTL and ARLP is below.
Recipients of the Fire Truck Revolving Loan:
Clinton:
Hoffman Fire Protection District: $120,000
Cook:
Pleasantview Fire Protection District: $350,000
Village of Berkeley: $350,000
DuPage:
Bensenville Fire Protection District #2: $350,000
Edgar:
Kansas Fire Protection District: $150,000
Jo Daviess:
City of East Dubuque: $350,000
Johnson/Union/Williamson:
Village of Goreville: $350,000
Kankakee:
City of Kankakee: $350,000
LaSalle:
Sheridan Fire Protection District: $350,000
Lee:
Amboy Fire Protection District: $350,000
Madison:
City of Wood River: $350,000
McHenry:
Marengo Fire Protection District: $350,000
Montgomery:
City of Witt: $163,397.47
Moultrie:
Sullivan Fire Protection District: $350,000
Rock Island:
Cordova Fire Protection District: $350,000
St. Clair:
Saint Libory Fire Protection District: $350,000
Saline:
Village of Carrier Mills: $350,000
Sangamon:
Divernon Fire Protection District: $350,000
Will:
Village of Crete: $300,000
Recipients of the Ambulance Revolving Loan:
Grundy:
Gardner Fire Protection District: $200,000
Hancock:
Nauvoo Fire Protection District: $200,000
Kankakee:
Manteno Community Fire Protection District: $200,000
McHenry:
Harvard Fire Protection District: $200,000
Peoria:
B.Y.E Ambulance Service, Inc.: $200,000
Winnebago:
Win-Bur-Sew Fire Protection District: $200,000
Grant Opportunities
More information on these funding opportunities can be found here.