Kane County targets food pantries for riverboat money

Responding to increased demands caused by surging unemployment rates, Kane County will use a larger sum of the money it gets from riverboat gambling to keep local food pantries afloat.

The county announced Wednesday it would give about $200,000 to local food pantries as part of its annual allocation of riverboat grants.

Officials have yet to work out details of how pantries will access the money, but hope to create a speedy application process to address emergency shortages in a timely fashion.

Food pantries in the north and central parts of the county will receive priority as they are deemed the areas with the greatest need.

The $200,000 is just part of about $987,000 in riverboat revenue the county will dole out to 35 local agencies.

The county is keeping a lion's share of $3.6 million in riverboat money to fund 23 of its own projects. Some, such as the adult drug court, are long-standing programs.

Top 5 county projects receiving riverboat money

1. Kane County Finance Department for JJC Bond Payment - $822,313

2. Kane County state's attorney's office for Child Advocacy Center - $688,327

3. Kane County Health Department for Kane Kares program - $429,424

4. Kane County Water Resources Department for cost sharing with local drainage improvement programs - $234,000

5. Kane County state's attorney's office for its Domestic Violence Unit - $233,209

Top 5 non-county agencies receiving riverboat money

1. Money for local food pantries - $200,000

2. Northern Illinois Food Bank for construction of a community kitchen - $100,000

3. Joseph Corporation for a computer upgrade and counseling - $69,059

4. City of St. Charles for Phase II of the Bob Leonard River Walk - $50,000

5. LaFox Museum Corp. for building restoration and construction - $50,000