Naperville mayor wants grant distribution process to more directly benefit residents

The Naperville City Council approved a $500,000 disbursement of funds to social service groups, but it did so without the support of Mayor Steve Chirico.

Saying he wants to change the way the annual funds are distributed so the money more directly benefits Naperville residents, Chirico was the lone "no" in Tuesday's 8-1 vote for the city's Social Services Grant Program started in 2005 to help area nonprofit organizations.

A committee of city staff members is responsible for allocating $450,000 from the city's food and beverage tax fund.

The city council decides how the remaining $50,000 is distributed.

Chirico said he'd like the process reversed to allow control over more of the money distributed to low- and moderate-income nonprofit groups.

Qualifying organizations must provide services that benefit Naperville residents, but Chirico wants more of the money to stay home.

He also wants the committee expanded to better represent families and youth in the community.

"What I'm finding happening is that these restrictions are pushing more and more funding to organizations - many of which I've never even heard of - from outside the city," Chirico said. "I don't think that's what the money is for.

"I think first and foremost it should go to Naperville organizations that are helping Naperville families and our youth," he said.

While council members Patrick Kelly and Ian Holzhauer agreed $50,000 was too small an amount for the city council to distribute - an amount that equated to $125 for some organizations - no one else on the city council agreed with declining the funding this year.

Community Services Director Pam Gallahue advised against changing the rules this year, saying it'd be "moving the goal posts for the organizations that have applied based on the criteria that's been set."

Thirty-six organizations were awarded Social Services Grant Program money based on a qualification formula.

Loaves and Fishes received the largest allocation of $47,386, while 360 Youth Services received $40,875.

The money is intended to focus on five community priorities, including emergency services, senior care, youth mentoring and counseling, and services for individuals with mental, physical and developmental disabilities.

Councilwoman Theresa Sullivan said while she agreed with Chirico that it's important to analyze who receives the money, she felt it was important to continue supporting the nonprofit organizations.

"This is one of our only chances, really, to use our money to help people who are the most in need," she said.

"That's not our lane usually. I think this is a great program. I'd hate to see it changed."