DeKalb Township funds 19 social-service applications, adds $2,500 for farmworker advocacy group
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Summary
At the Nov. 18 meeting the board approved resolution 2025-010T to fund 19 of 26 social-service applicants, amended the list to add the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) for $2,500, and required future reporting from grantees to confirm township-resident benefits.
DeKalb Township — The DeKalb Township Board of Trustees approved an amended resolution Nov. 18 awarding township funds to local social-service agencies and adding a $2,500 allocation for the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP).
Staff told the board they received 26 applications requesting $370,090 and recommended funding for 19 applicants; six requests were not recommended for funding. The board discussed changes to the township code (60 ILCS 135/13) that remove prohibitions on awarding township funds on the basis of perceived citizenship or immigration status. After discussion the board voted to amend the resolution to include FLAP for $2,500 and then approved the amended resolution by roll call.
The presiding official said the board would tighten contract language and add reporting requirements to ensure allocations benefit township residents. For one applicant, the Salvation Army, the award amount was listed as "TBD" pending quotes for freezers for its pantry. The board also discussed adding a short post-holiday workshop to review township-code allowances and to help newer township supervisors understand reporting and allowable uses.
"We are really tuned in to what's going on in the community as far as food insecurity," the presiding official said while describing staff follow-up and monitoring plans.
Why this matters: township discretionary funds provide direct support to local social-service providers. The board's action both allocates limited funds and signals closer oversight — including reporting and resident-only service stipulations — amid anticipated cuts in other public services.
Next steps: staff will finalize contracts with reporting terms, request any outstanding quotes (e.g., Salvation Army freezer quotes), and present an updated contact list or presentations from selected grantees in future meetings.