Melvin Leach, a case worker for the Harvey Brooks Foundation of Joliet, is aware of the lack of grocery stores in the city’s predominately African American neighborhoods. But living in a food desert hits harder some days than others, he said.

In some ways, it seems like a long time has passed since NICI launched one year ago. Illinois was moving back into restrictions again due to the COVID-19 Delta variant, and we quickly changed our launch celebration event into a virtual one.

A common focus shared by officials and local leaders throughout Illinois is cultivating its communities and infrastructure.

Funding will support micro-transit strategy, educational enrichment and diverse entrepreneurs