Development Incentives

Villa Park works in a proactive fashion to assist its existing businesses to expand and to recruit new businesses that complement the existing business mix. The Village offers several incentive programs. Villa Park has four active Tax Increment Finance districts. It also participates in the Commercial Property Assessment Clean Energy financing program.

TIF Grant Applications (click here for application)

The Village Board recently authorized the creation of three new TIF grant programs beginning in 2025 for façade, tenant, and site improvements. These grants are eligible for properties within TIF districts and operate as a grant reimbursement program with the Village with TIF funds matching up to a 50% of eligible expenses. Reimbursements would be awarded in amounts from $2,500-25,000. Permit fees would also be 100% reimbursable in addition to the $25,000 maximum refund allowance. Applicants would be permitted to apply for and receive all 3 grants. An applicant would be permitted to receive up to $25,000 within a 5-year period.

For more information contact Community & Economic Development Department at 630-433-4300 

Façade Improvement Program (click here for details)

• Operates as a grant reimbursement up to 50% of design and improvement costs for qualified improvements to facades of buildings or tenant spaces in view of the public or private roadway right-of-way. 
• Reimbursements will be awarded between $2,500-25,000.
• Applicants must be either the property owner or lessee of the subject commercial space.
• Eligible improvements would include: masonry restoration, exterior painting, wall façade construction, repair and treatment, historic renovation or architectural feature restoration or replacement, exterior demolition associated with new improvements, new or replacement storefront systems, doors, windows, parapets, coping and trim, awnings and shutters, steps, porches, and railings, roof replacements, exterior lighting (excluding fixtures in parking areas), permanent outdoor dining enclosures (including permanent fencing, patio, pergola, bollards, etc.), signage
• Ineligible improvements would include: routine maintenance (touch-up paint, etc.), site improvements, such as parking lots, landscaping, sidewalks, and parking lot lighting (see site improvement program), interior improvements (see tenant improvement program), security systems, fire alarms, mechanical equipment, seasonal outdoor dining improvements, improvements not visible from the public or private roadway right-of-way, improvements not consistent with current Code
• Eligible costs would include architectural and engineering fees, permits and fees, materials, and construction labor. 
• Review of proposals would be done based on grading scale considering: need, scale, building materials, building prominence, use, and relocation.
• Applicants would be required to submit 3 bids for the proposed work. The Village would reimburse based on the lowest bid but does not require that an applicant go with the lowest bid.

Tenant Improvement Program (click here for details)

• Operates as a grant reimbursement up to 50% of design and improvement costs for qualified improvements to tenants/property owners. 
• Reimbursements will be awarded between $2,500-25,000.
• Applicants must be either the property owner or lessee of the subject commercial space.
• Eligible business types include: restaurants, breweries, and bars with indoor dining rooms, retail (such as boutiques, apparel, jewelry, grocery, gift shops, cosmetics, books, hardware, specialty shops), creative arts and entertainment uses (such as performing arts theater, club, movie theater, paint n sip, ceramic studios, indoor amusement), auto dealerships in TIF 3 only, and hotels.
• Ineligible business types include: deliver/carry-out, or drive-thru only restaurants, service uses (such as spas, beauty salons, massage studios, dry cleaners, day care facilities, martial art/dance studios, gyms/yoga studios, etc.), automotive body work, paint, repair centers, fueling station, design showrooms, professional/medical offices, banks/financial institutions, funeral homes, tobacco and alternative tobacco sales.
• Eligible improvements would include: interior demolition/shell reconstruction, drywall, permanent plumbing fixtures, permanent electrical improvements, HVAC/mechanical, flooring, permanent lighting, permanent equipment (such as a kitchen), interior doors, improvements which achieve compliance with the Illinois Accessibility Code, water and sewer service upgrade and/or replacement
• Ineligible improvements would include: Routine maintenance, painting/wall coverings, artwork, furniture, removable fixtures, and non-fixed equipment. 
• Eligible costs would include architectural and engineering fees, permits and fees, materials, and construction labor. 
• Review of proposals would be done based on grading scale considering: Need, location, scale, activation of vacant space, and use. 
• Applicants would be required to submit 3 bids for the proposed work. The Village would reimburse based on the lowest bid but does not require that an applicant go with the lowest bid. 

Site Improvement Program (click here for details)

• Operates as a grant reimbursement up to 50% of design and improvement costs for qualified improvements to tenants/property owners. 
• Reimbursements will be awarded between $2,500-25,000.
• Applicants must be either the property owner or lessee of the commercial property. 
• Eligible improvements would include: parking lot replacement not including sealcoating and striping, landscaping including the addition of parking lot islands, parking lot screening, foundation plantings, landscaping surrounding ground mounted signage, and removal and replacement of invasive and diseased plant material, trash enclosures compliant with current municipal code regulations, lighting including parking lot illumination compliant with current municipal code regulations, ADA accessibility including ramps, sidewalks, guardrails, and accessible routes, and sidewalk replacement
• Ineligible improvements would include: routine maintenance of above listed items, interior improvements (see Tenant Improvement Program), exterior building improvements (see Façade Improvement Program), and replacement of dead or dying existing landscaping onsite. 
• Eligible costs would include architectural and engineering fees, permits and fees, materials, and construction labor. 
• Review of proposals would be done based on grading scale considering: Need, scale, code compliance, use, and relocation.
• Applicants would be required to submit 3 bids for the proposed work. The Village would reimburse based on the lowest bid but does not require that an applicant go with the lowest bid.