Ryan: $570,900 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $570,900 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $325,900 to the Cambodian Association of Illinois to expand and renovate its community center.
This Illinois FIRST project received eight grants and was sponsored by the following legislators:

• $200,000-State Sen. Lisa Madigan, D-Chicago
• $25,900- State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago
• $25,000- State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago
• $25,000-State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago
• $20,000-State Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago
• $15,000-State Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago
• $10,000-State Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Evanston
• $5,000-State Rep. Joseph Lyons, D-Chicago

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $75,000 to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to purchase computers.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
• $50,000 to the Rogers Park Community Council to promote and expand the organization's projects. This project was initiated by Ronen.
• $25,000 to the Hearts Foundation for program services.
  This project was initiated by Lang.
• $25,000 Centre East Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium for improvements to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.
  This project was initiated by Hamos.
• $25,000 Edgewater Chamber of Commerce for beautification and marketing projects.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.
• $25,000 Harry S. Truman College to support its Gear Up Program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago.
• $10,000 to the St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center for costs associated with the operation of a diabetic services program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Robert Bugielski, D-Chicago.
• $5,000 to the Association of Sheridan Road Condo and Cooperative Owners to plan and begin implementation of a beautification program for the Sheridan Road Community.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.
• $5,000 to the Association of Sheridan Road Condo and Cooperative Owners to plan and begin implementation of a beautification program for the Sheridan Road Community.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

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.