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Illinois Certified Local Government Matching Grants.

IL SHPO awards annual matching grants to Certified Local Governments for preservation surveys, planning, education, and National Register nominations.

Offered byIllinois State Historic Preservation Officeverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

This is not a building-construction grant. Chester is not included on IL SHPO's current official list of Certified Local Governments, so the City cannot apply unless it first completes CLG certification.

Best for: Future City-led preservation planning if Chester first becomes a Certified Local Government.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Illinois municipalities and counties certified by IL SHPO as Certified Local Governments

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Private property owners
  • Local governments without current CLG certification

Eligible uses

  • Historic-resource surveys
  • Preservation planning
  • Public education
  • National Register nominations

Uses excluded by the source

  • Construction to restore or rehabilitate public or private property

Application

How to start.

  1. Do not present this grant as currently available to Chester.
  2. Ask IL SHPO what Chester would need to complete CLG certification.
  3. After certification, develop a qualifying non-construction project and apply in a future official round.

Timing: The FFY2026 round closed April 15, 2026.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Only certified local governments can apply.
  • Construction and rehabilitation are not eligible uses.

Use planning or nomination work to prepare future preservation projects, not as construction funding.

Evidence

Official sources.