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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Ram Tyagi, Chief Information Officer
Jeff Anderson, Deputy Chief Information Officer
Timm Kopacz, IT PMO Manager
April Fitzhugh, Grant Writer
DATE: 11/13/2025
SUBJECT:
Request approval to accept award number # 24-203712 (HD240371) from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Program for $2,000,000.
PURPOSE:
The objective of this Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity award is to provide funding to increase the capacity and redundancy of the backbone fiber infrastructure on the City's east fiber ring. This grant award allows for reimbursement up to $2,000,000.
BACKGROUND:
A grant proposal was developed and submitted in 2024 to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Program. The City was notified of this grant award on October 7th.
DISCUSSION:
This grant award will expand the City’s backbone fiber on the east side of the fiber ring, increasing both capacity and redundancy of the City network. These improvements are essential to support future distribution points and to ensure the reliable delivery of services as more City operations move online. Enhanced capacity and redundancy are particularly critical as the City continues to expand technology for Public Safety and other essential municipal services.
Revenue from this grant will be tracked in account 101-1280-334-30-02 OTHER / GRANT-STATE OTHER.
Expenses for this grant will be tracked in appropriate IT Accounts: 101-1280-419-10-01 to 101-1280-419-99-99 using Project Code FIBER.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The east side of the City's fiber ring is at capacity and needs expansion to provide additional services and redundancy.
This resolution must be approved and signed to properly execute the agreement to begin this project.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to accept award number # 24-203712 (HD240371) from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Program for $2,000,000.
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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, the City submitted a grant proposal in 2024 to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Program; and
WHEREAS, The City was notified of this grant award on October 7, 2025; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide reimbursement up to $2,000,000 from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, and is intended to reimburse the City for fiber expansion expenses on the east side of the City; and
WHEREAS, the installation of equipment procured will provide increased capacity and redundancy of the City's fiber ring; and
WHEREAS, expenditures under this grant will be tracked and follow the city's procurement requirements as well as the requirements set by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Program and all applicable state or federal regulations; and
WHEREAS, Revenue from this grant will be tracked in account 101-1280-334-30-02 OTHER / GRANT-STATE OTHER; and
WHEREAS, Expenses for this grant will be tracked in appropriate IT Accounts: 101-1280-419-10-01 to 101-1280-419-99-99 using Project Code FIBER.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the City is authorized to accept a grant award # 24-203712 (HD240371) in the amount of $2,000,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for expansion of the City's east side fiber ring.