Danville Council Hears Good Home Rehab News; Remembers Alderman R.J. Davis; Takes Moment of Silence for Aniyah Davis

The Danville City Council received good news during Tuesday evening’s (July 1st) meeting.  The Council officially accepted a new $500,000 grant from the IHDA (Illinois Housing Development Authority) to once again give Danville home owners the chance to fix up and stay in their homes.  For this round of funding, a homeowner can receive a maximum of $50,000 for work on the whole home,  or $25,000 for work on the exterior only.

A new application process and list of applicants will be needed for this round of funding, and procedures should be announced within the next couple of months.  Qualifications will be income based.  Community Development Administrator Logan Cronk says Danville is receiving another grant because previous ones from the state have been used, and used well.

AUDIO: I think the City of Danville and IHDA (Illinois Housing Development Authority) have built a great partnership over the years.  The City of Danville has spent the grants responsibly, and quickly.  I think the relationship is growing, and hopefully there’s more to come with this as well.

Cronk says the best scenario is work begins this fall; with the worst being it begins next spring.

(1st Picture) Community Development Administrator Logan Cronk talks about latest home rehabilitation grant from the IHDA.  (2nd Picture) A photo of the Seven Plaintiffs from the “Change of Government” lawsuit in the 80s shows the late R.J. Davis, in the middle of the front row.  (3rd Picture) Former Alderman Stephen Foster addressed the Danville City Council towards the end of the meeting.

Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr loved the news.

AUDIO: Logan actually sat on a panel recently to teach other people how to improve their processes.  I’m very impressed and very proud of them.

The mayor also mentioned his satisfaction with the Bresee Tower teardown; and now he’s looking to the future.  Something new, to be determined, is going in that spot.

AUDIO: While we don’t know what that is; we have to be able to make room to build it, so they can come.

It was also announced during the meeting that R.J. Davis, a former alderman known as one of the seven plaintiffs in the “change of government lawsuit” in the 80s has passed away.  And at the end of the meeting, a moment of silence was held for Aniyah Davis, who passed away from the June 21st shooting in Winter Park.