Two Peoria community health centers are among 21 facilities across the state sharing a total of $50 million in grant funding from the state.
Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Capital Development Board announced the awards this week, with the Solvera Healthcare Center receiving $3 million and the Heartland Community Health Clinic getting almost $2.6 million.
“Community health centers are vital for the well-being of all Illinoisans, connecting residents with the critical primary and preventative services they need,” Pritzker said in a media release, touting critical investments to close gaps in health care.
The funding comes through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, supporting the construction, expansion and improvement of health care facilities statewide.
"Public health is driven by the power of partnership," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "Community health centers are an essential component of our efforts to improve public health by ensuring that health services and programs are easily accessible in every Illinois community.”
The construction grant program provides up to up to $3 million to federally qualified health centers for capital improvement projects. The funding can be used to upgrade infrastructure, increase facility capacity, and expand access, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
Heartland Health operates a community clinic at 711 W. John Gwynn Ave., on Peoria’s South Side. Solvera Health’s Peoria clinic is at the intersection of University Street and Meadowbrook Road; the group will have a grand opening Friday for a new clinic inside the Southside Community Center.
