Ryan: $4.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $4,543,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $4,000,000 to the City Colleges of Chicago to assist in the construction of its new Kennedy King campus at 64th and Halsted.

These funds will be applied to land acquisition and demolition of the present campus. Engineering and feasibility studies by the Chicago Public Building Commission determined that the present campus should be replaced due to inefficiencies, excessive repair costs and health and safety hazards.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $210,000 to the Lakefront SRO in Chicago to fund a portion of the construction, equipment and furnishing costs of community spaces at the Holland Apartments. The City of Chicago will contribute $5,186,833 from low-income housing tax credits.

• $100,000 to the Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce in Chicago to assist the Chamber with its staff salaries and operation costs associated with all the services and programs it offers.

• $50,000 to the St. Joseph Carondelet Child Center to purchase and install replacement windows and screens at its Solace Place facility.
  This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Daniel J. Burke, D-Chicago.

• $45,000 to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago to fund a portion of its operating budget.
  This project was initiated by Burke.

• $35,000 to Chicago State University to support the National Youth Sports Program, which will be administered by the university.

• $33,000 to the New Spiritual Light M.B. Church to fund programs for at-risk children living in the communities of Chatham and Avalon.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, Elmhurst.

• $20,000 to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club to fund an expansion of its facilities and services offered to senior and youth program participants.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Currie, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to the Mission of Our Lady of Mercy, Inc., to fund special field trips for at-risk youth.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas Dart, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club to assist in expanding its senior citizen and youth programs.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to St. Philip Neri School to provide a Computer Outreach Summer Camp designed to help south shore community residents learn basic computer skills.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

Illinois FIRST funds are not part of the state budget's General Revenue Fund. Recently, lagging tax collections brought on by a slowdown in the national economy and the terrorist attacks of September 11 have forced the governor to order spending cuts in the General Revenue Fund that amount to less than 2 percent of total spending. Illinois FIRST monies are derived from separate accounts in the state budget -- the Road Fund and the Fund for Illinois Future -- as well as through the sale of state bonds.