BENTON – According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton), multiple communities in the 116th district have been notified that they are recipients of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD grants.
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded nearly $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois.
The following entities in the 116th district have received OSLAD grant funds:
• $87,100 for the Village of Crossville
• $44,300 for the Village of West Salem
• City of Benton – $437,200
• City of Nason – $600,000
“I am pleased to learn of these investments being made in communities in the 116th district,” Severin said. “We support the great outdoors in Southern Illinois, and we must do the important work of protecting and preserving our parks and recreation areas to provide these opportunities to our citizens and to improve and increase tourism to our region.”
Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities in the current round of OSLAD grant funds.
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