The state of Illinois has designated a part of Mt. Carmel as a food desert which makes the city eligible for part of $14 million in state grants. The state has made the grants available to help encourage grocery store development in under-served areas. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the food  desert in Mt. Carmel is on the city’s south side running from 9th Street south…

The program is part of the state's $20 million Illinois Grocery Initiative announced last August. The funds will help with construction and renovation costs, and first-year operations costs. The first round of applications are being accepted through May 24.