$1.7 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.7 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $500,000 to the Hometown Fire Protection District purchase various emergency equipment and make repairs to its fire station.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $300,000 to the Chicago Park District to rehab the swimming pools at Washington Park.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Robert Molaro, D-Chicago.

• $250,000 to the Garden Center for the Handicapped in Burbank to expand it existing workshop facility.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Louis Viverito, D-Burbank.

• $130,000 to Providing Artistic, Cultural and Career Awareness for Youth to assist with the costs associated with its educational workshops.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Howard A. Kenner, D-Chicago.

• $100,000 to the City Colleges of Chicago to provide a community based program to provide informational assistance to citizens and victims of domestic violence.
  The project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

• $87,600 to the City of Hometown to purchase a high-lift truck with a plow and a dump truck with a plow to maintain the streets.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $75,000 to the Blue Island Park District to purchase and install playground equipment for Centennial Park.
  This project was initiated by Senate Democratic Leader Emil Jones, Jr., D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Taherah Towers Residential Facility in Chicago to make repairs to its facility to enable it to continue providing services to the area's homeless population.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Donne E. Trotter, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to Youth Guidance in Chicago to fund costs associated with a "Students with a Purpose" mentoring program at three area grade schools.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.

• $45,000 to the Hull House Association to assist residents of the LeClaire Courts Chicago Housing Authority Development through its community-based programs.
  This project was initiated by Kenner.

• $40,000 to FORUM of Chicago to fund a violence prevention program that promotes personal and social responsibility and targets parents and children ages 10 through 17.
  This project was initiated by Kenner.

• $25,000 to Community College District 508 to fund technology improvements that will expand student access to academic software and satellite programs.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Constance A. "Connie" Howard, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Chicago State University to update two computer labs for the Math and Computer Science Department.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $25,000 to Working in the Schools to fund a math and reading tutoring program for children in grades one through eight.
  This project was initiated by State Sen.Robert S. Molaro, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to Chicago Public Schools for curriculum and building enhancements for Wentworth School, Vernon Johns Community Academy, O'Toole Elementary School, and Marquette West Elementary School.
  These projects were initiated by State Rep. Charles Morrow III, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Chicago Park District to beautify the South Shore Cultural Center Park.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $10,000 to the Chicago Park District to purchase new bleachers for the baseball diamonds at Gately Park.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $10,000 to South Shore Chamber, Inc. to develop and deliver a credit enhancement course for minority businesses.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $10,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase technology equipment for Yale Elementary School and Hart Elementary School.
  These projects were initiated by Obama.

• $5,000 to Ray School to fund a teacher training program that addresses how to teach writing based on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $5,000 to the City of Chicago for the Chicago Public Library to provide workshops and programs for inner-city population.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to the Hyde Park Historical Society to expand and enhance its educational web page.
  This project was initiated by Obama and Currie.

• $2,500 to the Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference to sponsor the Chicago Academic Games League for students in fifth through eighth grade.
  This project was initiated by Currie.