SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.49 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $500,000 to the Women Employed Institute to develop an information technology campaign.

This project will include mapping career access points and pathways as well as designing marketing and employment preparation strategies to increase the number of women and minorities entering careers in informational technology.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by Senate Democrat Leader Emil Jones, Jr., D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $500,000 to the History Makers to hire additional staff and to complete its "Pioneers in the Struggle" documentary.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $250,000 to Support A Child International to support its West-Southern Africa Trade and Investment Linkages initiative.

• $50,000 to the Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary Church to tuckpoint and purchase new windows for its social center, Casa Romero, and to hire a part time facilitator to work with parents in the Peer Education program.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Robert S. Molaro, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Our Place Homework and Enrichment Center, Inc., to purchase computers and software and to hire music, dance and drum instructors, teachers and teachers assistants.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $10,000 to the Community Action Council to provide recreational activities for its youth awareness programs.

• $5,000 to the Morgan Park/Maple Food Pantry to renovate its food storage area.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas J. Dart, D-Chicago.

• $5,000 to Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities to provide training to the medical staff at the Cook County Englewood Health Center on better recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug addiction.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.

• $2,500 to the Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference to purchase plant materials, maintenance and stargazing equipment for Nichols Park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

• $2,500 to the Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference to purchase plant materials, maintenance and stargazing equipment for Nichols Park.
  This project was initiated by Obama.