Nikki Budzinski, U.S. representative for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District and University alum, secured $2.3 million in federal funding for local park districts and University research through the House of Representatives’ fiscal year 2026 budget, she announced Wednesday.
The $2.3 million includes $1.2 million for the University’s Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, $850,000 for the Champaign Park District to renovate Parkland Way and $250,000 for the Urbana Park District’s Prairie and Weaver Park rehabilitation project.
Administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s community development fund, Budzinski secured the investments through the Community Project Funding process.
The Urbana Park District plans to use the funding to improve restrooms, day-use facilities, utilities, grading, drainage, landscaping, parking, lighting and pedestrian paths at the parks.
“After two years of fighting to get this funding through Congress, I am proud to bring home $250,000 to support the Urbana Park District’s Prairie and Weaver Park rehabilitation plan,” Budzinski wrote in the announcement. “These resources will make it easier for folks throughout the community to access athletic facilities, engage in recreation programs, and enjoy this beautiful place we call home.”
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The district is planning to build a wide variety of new amenities in the two parks as part of a master plan for the area’s greenspace, Illinois Public Media reported on Feb. 11. The facilities will include a new playground, a skate park, a water-based recreation area and soccer fields.
The Champaign Park District will use its $850,000 to rehabilitate Parkland Way, a street near Parkland College in northwest Champaign.
A 2023 study on the street’s condition conducted by the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission found that, since 2007, the road has “fallen into severe disrepair, and public buses and delivery trucks are no longer permitted to use the road.”
CCRPC also wrote that the street had no sidewalks, bike lanes or street lights. The new funding, according to Budzinski’s office, will be used to better connect the community with educational and vocational training offered at Parkland College.
The IBRL, located in the College of ACES, is a bioprocessing product research and development facility that “bridges the gap from basic discovery to commercialization of bioproducts.”
It leads the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub, or iFAB Tech Hub — a consortium of 35 members seeking to advance biomanufacturing and precision fermentation in Central Illinois’ agricultural industry. The $1.2 million earmarked for the IBRL will be used to expand its facility.
Budzinski wrote that the funding will serve to revitalize the district’s infrastructure, boost the local economy and improve the day-to-day life for families she represents.
