Civic Heritage Infrastructure Initiative (CHII)
Preserving Sacred Spaces. Honoring Our Legacy. Strengthening Community Life.
Policy Summary:
The Civic Heritage Infrastructure Initiative (CHII) is a federal proposal focused on restoring and preserving historically significant civic spaces—including churches, community halls, VFW halls and lodges—that have long served as cultural, spiritual, and organizing centers for neighborhoods across the country.
These spaces hold deep historical value and have played a vital role in community resilience. This initiative will provide infrastructure support so these buildings can continue to serve future generations.
Why This Matters — A Personal Story
I was raised on the south end of East St. Louis, and the heartbeat of that part of town was Shiloh AME Church. My grandmother, was one of the quiet pillars of that congregation. When things broke or needed replacing, she didn’t wait for outside help—she reached into her own savings to get it done. No grants. No fanfare. Just service.
She was one of many unsung women who kept our churches running. Their quiet sacrifices allowed these buildings to remain open—not just for worship, but for food drives, funerals, choir rehearsals.
Unfortunately, many of these buildings are now in disrepair, and the burden of neglect weighs heavily on our communities. Abandoned or crumbling structures reduce neighborhood morale, increase safety risks, and hinder revitalization efforts.
This initiative is part of my broader commitment to revitalizing Illinois communities by investing in what strengthens us from within. Community centers and civic structures are not luxuries—they are necessities. When we restore them, we reclaim identity, empower local connection, and create safer, more cohesive neighborhoods.
Let’s rebuild what made us strong.
The Problem
Across the country—and especially in areas like Chicago’s South Side, Posen, East St. Louis, Frankfort, and Kankakee—longstanding churches and civic halls are deteriorating. Roofs leak. Furnaces break. Some buildings close, not because the faith or fellowship is gone, but because the resources to maintain them aren’t there.
Many of these spaces continue to serve—offering mentorship, meals, recovery groups, and safe gathering spaces—but they’re doing it under increasingly fragile conditions.
We are at risk of losing important pieces of our cultural and civic history simply because we've neglected to see them as worthy of preservation.
The Solution
The Civic Heritage Infrastructure Initiative would:
Provide restoration grants (up to $500,000) for churches and civic spaces that have documented community engagement or historical significance.
Focus on structural improvements: HVAC, electrical, roofing, ADA accessibility, kitchen and restroom upgrades, and safety enhancements.
Support organizations that are actively serving the community—whether through food drives, education programs, or outreach ministries—ensuring these spaces remain living parts of the neighborhoods they serve.
Include technical support to help smaller congregations and civic groups apply and comply without being buried in bureaucracy.
Create a matching component to reflect the spirit of personal investment—honoring the self-sacrifice of people like my grandmother by multiplying every local dollar or volunteer hour with federal support.
How It Will Help IL-1
From West Pullman to Washington Heights to Roseland, there are churches and halls that are still hosting food pantries, youth nights, GED prep classes, and family counseling sessions. They are still baptizing babies, marrying couples, and burying our elders. This initiative would give them the respect and support they’ve long deserved—without taking away local control.
It would also serve rural and suburban parts of the district, where aging veterans' halls, union lodges, and township halls need upgrades to remain safe, functional, and inclusive.
Impact Goals
500 buildings restored in 5 years
$250M in public-private investment leveraged
Tens of thousands of residents served by revitalized buildings
Expanded access to faith-based and civic programs
Final Word
My grandmother didn’t save Shiloh for applause. She did it because she believed the church was worth it.
This initiative simply says: She was right.
These spaces are worth saving—not just for nostalgia, but for the good they still do.
We don’t need to reinvent community. We just need to invest in what already works.
