SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $711,600 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in suburban Cook County, including $525,000 to the Loyola University of Chicago School of Nursing to establish and maintain a school-based Health Center at Proviso East High School in Maywood.

The center will include three examination rooms with sinks, a multipurpose room for conferences and health education classes, a counseling room, an office manager/waiting room, a laboratory, a bathroom, a secure medical record area and a secure pharmaceutical and supply storage area for office, medical and sterile equipment.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford, D-Maywood.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to the Neighborhood Center of Cicero to implement a nutrition and exercise program for mothers and their preschool children aged 3 to 5 years.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Susana Mendoza, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Peoples Reinvestment & Development Effort to provide support to low-moderate income Chicago Housing Authority tenants who are participating in the "Welfare to Work" program.
  This project was initiated by Lightford.

• $39,600 to the Maywood Police Department to purchase mounted and hand held radar guns.
  This project was initiated by Lightford.

• $20,000 to Golf School District 67 to construct a greenhouse conservatory in Discovery Park. $25,000 from donations is being contributed.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Walter W. Dudycz, R-Chicago.

• $20,000 to From Boys to Men to develop an after-school mentoring program.
  This project was initiated by Lightford.

• $7,000 to the William Hammerschmidt School Parent Teacher Association to purchase and install ground cover on a new playground.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dan Cronin, R-Elmhurst.