Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program

The Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), a state agency focused on fostering economic growth and supporting critical infrastructure and community services throughout Illinois. This program represents a targeted initiative to support reproductive health care facilities that are facing increased demand for their services, especially in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. This legal shift has positioned Illinois as a regional haven for abortion and reproductive services, resulting in a significant influx of patients from neighboring states with more restrictive laws. In response, the state has allocated capital funding to help facilities meet urgent needs in capacity, safety, and infrastructure. The purpose of the program is to maintain and expand access to high-quality reproductive health care services by providing grants to eligible providers for capital investments. These grants are designed to address needs for facility construction, renovation, security upgrades, and the acquisition of durable medical equipment. Eligible expenses include architectural planning, land and building acquisition, site improvement, construction, and the purchase of medical or mobile health equipment. The grant explicitly excludes operational expenses, temporary facilities, lease payments, and staff labor unrelated to capital construction. Grants are awarded in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, and each recipient must contribute a minimum 15% cash match toward the total project cost. The program is open to both nonprofit and for-profit clinics in Illinois that currently provide or intend to provide abortion care, as well as additional pregnancy-related services such as contraception counseling, ultrasounds, STI testing, and prenatal care. Facilities that primarily offer non-pregnancy medical services—such as general surgery or emergency room services—are not eligible. Clinics must employ or plan to employ licensed health care professionals and must be in good standing with both state and federal compliance systems, including the SAM.gov registry and the Illinois Secretary of State. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted, with no fixed deadline. Awards are expected to be announced beginning September 1, 2023, and grants will cover a performance period of one to two years. Higher scores in the merit-based review will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate need, particularly those located in rural or underserved areas or those proposing security upgrades or expanded service capacity. A technical assistance webinar was offered on August 14, 2023, though participation was not mandatory. Applications must include a Uniform Grant Application, Uniform Budget, Conflict of Interest and Mandatory Disclosures, a program-specific application, and any design or construction documents available. All applicants must be pre-qualified through the GATA Grantee Portal and provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and valid SAM.gov registration. The merit review process scores applicants on capacity, need, and quality, using a 100-point scale. Proposals receiving 70 points or more are recommended for funding. In some cases, applications scoring between 60–70 points may be considered later in the funding cycle, provided funds remain. Applicants may appeal procedural aspects of the review process but not the scores themselves. Grantees must report quarterly on progress and finances, and comply with multiple Illinois labor and procurement laws, including the Prevailing Wage Act and Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative.

Focus on demonstrating need (especially in rural/underserved areas), clear budget documentation, and expanded service capacity.