An aerial view of JFK School on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Spring Valley. Spring Valley has been awarded more than $245,000 in grant funding through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Gov. JB Pritzker announced earlier this month. City officials said the money will be used to purchase 10.83 acres of land next to a planned 5-acre park right behind John F. Kennedy School on the north side of town. (Scott Anderson)