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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Mike Nelson, Director of Community Events
DATE: 01/23/2026
SUBJECT:
Link-Up Illinois, a program of Experimental Station (an Illinois 501-c-3 nonprofit charitable organization) has awarded the Aurora Farmers Market an EBT double-match grant in the amount of $7,863.00 for the 2026 Aurora Farmers Market season.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Link-Up Illinois double-match grant is to allow EBT users to double their spending value at our farmers markets by matching their funds being pulled. It is a double-match program - for example, if a market patron deducts $25 from their bank account, they then receive $25 in EBT tokens for them to use on fresh produce and plants that grow food for the household. The grant makes fresh local foods more accessible to those in our community that may be facing food insecurities.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora (the Aurora Farmers Market) has received this exact grant in past years and has had a wonderful experience with the program. EBT users at the Aurora Farmers Market rely on and are grateful for this grant as it provides their families with additional foods they may not have had access to.
DISCUSSION:
The Link-Up Illinois double-match grant funds will be utilized for the 2026 Aurora Farmers Market season and will be housed in the Aurora Farmers Market expenditure line (101-1607-450.53-09). Weekly reporting will occur from the City of Aurora, IL to the Link-Up Illinois organization through the 2026 market season.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
By accepting this Link-Up Illinois double-match grant, the City of Aurora, IL (the Aurora Farmers Market) will be able to provide market patrons with additional funds for healthy produce and items for the 2026 market season.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request City Council approval to accept the $7,863.00 grant from Link-Up Illinois to provide our Aurora Farmers Market patrons with opportunities to receive additional dollars to spend on heathy produce and items through the 2026 market season.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a Link-Up Illinois double-value match grant for the 2026 season of the Aurora Farmers Market.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, this grant will benefit the Aurora Farmers Market patrons by providing them with more access to heathier foods and items; and
WHEREAS, accepting this grant will have an overall positive impact on our community and our farmers market, as we strive to continue to educate our patrons on sustainability and healthy eating choices; and)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Authorization to Mayor Laesch or his designee to execute the grant agreement between the City of Aurora, IL and Link-Up Illinois attached as exhibit A in the amount of $7,863.00.