Grant will help Kenilworth build capital plan

The Village of Kenilworth has been awarded a grant from a regional planning agency that officials say will help develop their local capital improvement plan.

The Village Board unanimously approved on Tuesday, Jan. 20, an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, allowing them to accept assistance services from the organization.

In 2025, according to a memo from Village staff, Kenilworth applied for and was awarded a CMAP technical assistance grant. The grant’s purpose is to “assist the Village in the development of a comprehensive capital improvement plan.”

The memo further said that CMAP will select an engineering firm to work the Village, and the project will include:

• Establishment of capital asset inventories;
• Development of criteria for evaluation of potential capital projects;
• Community engagement to understand resident and stakeholders’ capital project needs; and
• Facilitation of capacity-building training for municipal officials and staff.

It was also noted in the memo that the Village already has processes in place for several of the items CMAP will help with, and that the project will provide a chance for the organization to recommend changes or improvements.

Prithvi Hegde, a planner with CMAP, told the board on Tuesday that the organization’s role is largely advisory.

“This is your plan, and we want to be able to develop and adopt and implement these plans with you,” she said.

Hegde added that the next steps will include selecting a consultant, creating a steering committee, and hosting an official kickoff to the planning process, which she expects will begin in the coming months.

There will also be opportunities for public engagement, she said.

Village President Cecily Kaz said CMAP and the consultant will work directly with Village staff.

“I like to think we have a pretty well-developed capital improvement plan the way we go through it annually, but it’s wonderful to have an expert set of eyes,” she said. “CMAP has a wonderful look at all projects that are happening everywhere and can really weigh in on what types of projects work.”

As per the agreement, the Village will have to contribute $8,000, which the memo stated is available in the budget.

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