Dupage Policy Journal

Soon there will be more housing for people with developmental disabilities or mental health disorders in West Chicago, now that construction has started on an apartment building designed specifically to cater to their needs.

Illinois State Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) helped break ground on the project site located on Main Street just east of West Chicago City Hall earlier this month.

"The Association for Individual Development (AID) had a ground breaking celebration for their new West Chicago Main Street Lofts! This will be a fantastic addition to West Chicago, we welcome the soon-to-be residents of these lofts with open arms," Villa wrote in a July 1 Facebook post.

The apartment building will have 24 units and is currently under construction with a completion date, weather permitting, slated for the end of the year. The Daily Herald reported Villa Park-based developer North Arrow Partners and the Association for Individual Development in Elgin are collaborating on the project.

Lore Baker, president and CEO of AID, told the Daily Herald the individual apartments provide an independent living environment for the residents. She added there are also income eligibility requirements for tenants. 

The Daily Herald also reported the Illinois Housing Development Authority has funded most of the project.