Ryan: $75,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $75,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $20,000 to the Rodgers Park Community Council to support its Early Childhood Network of Edgewater & Rodgers Park.

The network will provide a comprehensive referral system and resource network to ensure that all parents will be able to find and afford quality childcare for their children. Training sessions for public and daycare providers will ensure that they are properly informed and trained.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $15,000 to Devonshire Elementary School, Skokie, to purchase 455 chairs for grades one through five and special education classes.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to the Park West Community Association to make improvements to a playlot in the 700 block of West Wrightwood Avenue.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago.

• $5,000 to the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce to support a beautification project in its business district on Milwaukee Avenue from Nagle to Foster avenues.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $5,000 to the Peterson Pulaski Business & Industrial Council to landscape and maintain a public parkway and cul-de-sacs in the Peterson Pulaski Industrial Corridor area.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase five desktop integrated audio systems for the Stephen K. Hayt School.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools to reinstall and repair the aisle floor lighting in the auditorium at Trumbull Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.