$3 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $3,087,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $2 million to the Adler Planetarium to help fund a just completed two-year renovation and expansion. The project included the addition of the Sky Pavilion that houses a digital state-of-the art theater. The project expanded the ability of the Adler Planetarium to provide information and educational programs in astronomy and related sciences to the public and school groups from around the world.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $300,000 to the Charnley Persky House Museum Foundation to restore and repair this Frank Lloyd Wright landmark.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. John J. Cullerton, D-Chicago and State Rep. Judy Erwin, D-Chicago.

• $125,000 to the Skokie Park District to clean up a 12-acre brownfields site and make it viable for development as a recreation area.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to Evanston Township High School to fund a laptop loan program, a bilingual program, and an academic support program.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Christopher House to purchase a 15-passenger van to transport children to and from its many development programs.
  The project was initiated by State Rep. John A. Fritchey, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Chicago Park District to purchase new equipment for Broadway Armory Park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Gryphon Foundation to modify and expand its public policy web site.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Louis I. Lang, D-Skokie.

• $50,000 to the Polish American Association to support its women's counseling program for economically disadvantaged immigrants with language and cultural barriers.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Robert J. Bugielski, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the Cambodian Association of Illinois to cover operating expenses of a family health program, a citizenship program, an employment program, a literacy program, and a youth support program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to Andersonville Chamber of Commerce to hire additional staff to administer programs and services to area businesses.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $30,000 to Rodgers Park Development Corporation to fund a program by the Morse Avenue Task Force to rehab a building into 57 rental units for senior citizens.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to the Cook County Community Health Council to implement and coordinate outreach activities of the Northeast District Health Council.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to the Friends of Alcott School for a comprehensive music program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to the Old Irving Park Association to purchase streetscaping for the Irving Park Road business corridor.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Richard T. Bradley, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Lathrop Community Music to fund a six-week summer music camp in Hamlin Park and purchase musical instruments.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.

• $15,000 to Technopolis Evanston, Inc. for a feasibility study and a preliminary design for converting the vacant recycling center into a computer-training center.
  This project was initiated by Hamos.

• $15,000 to the Ridgeville Park District to support children's summer programs at the parks.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Evanston.

• $15,000 to the Chicago Public Schools to purchase technology enhancements.
  Sauganash Elementary School
  Volta Elementary School
  Prussing Elementary School
  Budlong School George B. Armstrong School
  These projects were initiated by Silverstein.

• $15,000 to the Chicago Public Schools for curriculum and capital improvements.
  Niles West High School
  Vaughn Occupational High School
  Von Steuben Metro High School
  These projects were initiated by Silverstein.

• $15,000 to the Chicago Children's Museum to underwrite the Student Visit Program, which benefits students through self-guided and facilitated workshops.
  This project was initiated by Cullerton.

• $10,000 to Tuesday's Child to provide program assistance for parent training and early intervention services for young children.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Richard T. Bradley, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Chicago Park District to upgrade the South Lakeview Playground.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.

• $10,000 to Rape Victims Advocates to provide transportation for rape victims from hospital emergency rooms to their homes.
  This project was initiated by Feigenholtz.

• $10,000 to the City of Chicago to convert a brownfields site into viable open space for use a neighborhood park.
  This project was initiated by Erwin.

• $5,000 to the City of Chicago to landscape Winnemac Park.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $2,500 to St. Paul House and Health Care Center for an inter-generational and interactive substance abuse program.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.