Chambana Sun

Rep. Brandun Schweizer shared information for individuals interested in land acquisition and development, stating that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for the "next round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants" through September 13. He made the statement in a July 3 Facebook post.

"The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will accept applications for the next round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants between July 1 through Sept. 13, closing at 5 p.m," said Schweizer, State Representative, according to Facebook.

According to Schweizer's Facebook post, he shared a link to a news release from the state regarding the application period for local park development grants. The news release explains that OSLAD is a matching program that can provide up to 50% of the grant award as an advance payment for development projects to local agencies that apply for the grant program. A total of $54 million is available for this round of grants, and for those projects in economically distressed areas, IDNR will cover 100% of eligible projects.

Screenshot of State Rep. Brandun Schweizer's July 3 Facebook post | Rep. Schweizer's Facebook page

Since its establishment in 1986, OSLAD has been a cost-sharing program between state and local governments and is one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. The program has awarded more than $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois since its inception. It is funded through a percentage of Illinois' Real Estate Transfer Tax.

"I encourage any community that is considering a park development or improvement project to apply for an OSLAD grant. Parks and green spaces are the heart of our neighborhoods and communities. Everyone belongs in nature. An investment in the outdoors is an investment in the health and well-being of the people of Illinois," said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie, in the July 1 news release about the program.

The distressed communities list for 2025 projects includes, but is not limited to Albion Park District, Benton Park District, Carbondale Park District, Chicago Heights Park District, Galva Park District, Champaign County Forest Preserve District, DeKalb County Forest Preserve District, Alexander County, Bond County, Champaign County, DeKalb County, Peoria County, and Winnebago County. This list is not exhaustive.

Schweizer was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 104th House District when Rep. Mike Marron retired. He is a retired US Marine Corps Master Sergeant and worked in Danville as a code enforcement inspector. He and his wife live in Danville with their sons. According to his official biography for the Illinois House of Representatives, he created the Tiny Troops Soccer program which teaches young children living on military bases the basics of soccer.