Date of Notice: September 4, 2025

Grantee Name: Town of Cicero 

Address: 1634 S. Laramie Ave.

Cicero, IL 60804

Telephone: 708-656-8223

2025-2027 EAP Tiered Environmental Review Package

On or about 09/23/2025 the Town of Cicero Department of Housing will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant Program Funds (CDBG), for the following multi-year program/project:  Emergency Assistance Program, for the purpose of providing access to emergency housing rehabilitation services for low to moderate income owner-occupied single family dwellings (up to two unit) in the Town of Cicero to correct life-safety housing deficiencies including: broken furnace in winter, broken air conditioner compressor in summer, collapsed sewers, burst water lines, unsafe roof structures, electrical hazards, and carpentry and lead hazard reduction as a part of the system being replaced.  The Town of Cicero is requesting the release of $375,000.00 for the grant period of PY2025-PY2027 ending on 9/30/2027.

The proposed hazard control activities to be funded under this program are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at §58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area(s) listed above. Other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be complied with, when individual sites are identified.   

Specifically, the target area has been studied and compliance with the following laws and authorities have been established in the Tier 1 Review:  Airport Hazards, Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Flood Insurance, Air Quality, Coastal Zone Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Explosive and Flammable Hazards, Farmlands Protection, Floodplain Management, Historic Preservation, Sole Source Aquifers, Wetlands Protection, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and Environmental Justice.   

In the Tier 2 Review, compliance with the following environmental laws and authorities will take place for proposed projects funded under the program listed above: Contamination and Toxic and Noise Abatement and control.   Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.

An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project, and more fully describes the tiered review process cited above, is on file at The Town of Cicero Department of Housing 1634 S. Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804 and may be examined or copied Monday to Thursday  8 a.m. to 8  p.m.  The ERR is also available on the Town’s website at www.thetownofcicero.com 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Martha Garcia, Assistant Housing Program Director of the Town of Cicero Department of housing, mgarcia1@thetownofcicero.com.   All comments received by 09/22/2025, will be considered by Town of Cicero Department of Housing prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Town of Cicero Department of Housing certifies to HUD that Tom M. Tomschin in his official capacity as Executive Director, Town of Cicero Department of Housing consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied.   HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Town of Cicero Department of Housing to utilize federal funds and implement the Program.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the Town of Cicero Department of Housing certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases:  (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Town of Cicero Department of Housing; (b) the Town of Cicero Department of Housing has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the Town of Cicero Department of Housing has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.  Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58), shall be emailed to: CPDRROFCHI@hud.gov, Attention: Donald Kathan, Director, Community Planning and Development U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Potential objectors may contact HUD directly to verify the actual last day of the objection/comment period.

Tom M. Tomschin, Executive Director