Naperville to dole out millions to cultural events, projects
The Naperville City Council tentatively has decided how it will dole out about $2.57 million for cultural events and projects in the coming year.
The council this week reviewed requests for $8.9 million from groups across the city before agreeing on which ones to fund. Century Walk, the DuPage Children's Museum and the Millennium Carillon Tower topped the list of projects slated to receive money from the city's Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund.
To be considered, groups had to show their projects have a worthy purpose, community impact and sound administration.
"Naperville is so fortunate to have a wide array of cultural events for people to enjoy," Mayor George Pradel said in a press release. "SECA funds help make the arts, culture and special events come alive in this city and many hours are invested into making sure the funds are distributed fairly and evenly among the outstanding SECA fund candidates."
Money for the projects comes from a 1 percent tax on food and beverages in the city.
The largest projects to gain approval this year include:
• Century Walk Corp., $274,000 for public art;
• DuPage Children's Museum, $250,000 for general operating support;
• City of Naperville, $237,788 for Millennium Carillon Tower debt service;
• Exchange Club, $132,928 for Ribfest;
• Naperville Jaycees, $121,747 for Last Fling;
• City of Naperville/park district, $121,336 for Millennium Carillon operation and maintenance;
• Naperville Municipal Band, $120,220 for concerts and parades;
• Naperville Development Partnership, $100,000 for restaurant marketing program;
• City of Naperville/park district, $98,895 for Riverwalk maintenance;
• and The Conservation Foundation, $75,000 for Clow Boris house reconstruction.
The newest batch of funding runs from May 1 to April 30, 2009. The city council will give final approval to its selections next month.
The city also is in the process of forming a nine-member commission to study such requests in the future. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/seca.aspx.