Press Releases
Ryan: $11.9 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago
SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $11.928 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $10 million to Chicago State University to construct a Convocation Center at the university.
The new facility will allow for on-campus commencement and convocation exercises and also serve as a mulit-purpose educational and arts facility. It will have an assembly space with a seating capacity of 7,000 people, an exhibition arena, classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, concession areas and other related services.
Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:
- $1,000,000 to the Cook County Sheriff's Boot Camp to support the Post Release Reintegration Program.
- $750,000 to DePaul University to develop and deliver the Digital Divide program to various Chicago area schools which serve underprivileged students, grades K-12.
- $20,000 to Vision of Restoration, Inc. , to supports its Career Development and Enhancement program.
- $75,000 to the Academy of St. Edmund King and Martyr to implement a free after school enrichment program, open to elementary age children of the public at large.
- $75,000 to the Diocese of the Northwest to hire a program director/case manager, a general case manager and an office receptionist for the Eugene Sawyer Center.
- $25,000 to the Blue Gargoyle Youth Service Center to hire a Coordinator/Client Service Manager for its Youth Tutoring program.
- $25,000 to the Blue Gargoyle Youth Service Center to hire a School Counselor/Psycotherapist for its adult literacy program and a tutoring program at its alternative high school.
- $15,000 to the Roseland Little League to remodel the interior of two concession stands at 12483 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
- $13,000 to the Chicago Public Schools to make repairs to the exterior and interior at West Pullman Elementary School.
This project was initiated by State Rep. Howard Kenner, D-Chicago.
This project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Currie, D-Chicago.
This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.
This project was initiated by State Rep. David Miller, D-Calumet City.
This project was initiated by Miller.
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.
Press Releases