Governor Ryan Announces Community Technology Grants to 36 Community Organizations Totaling $1.4 Million

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced 36 grants to community organizations totaling more than $1.4 million for advanced telecommunications access to low-income and rural areas. The Illinois Community Technology Fund was created by the Illinois Commerce Commission as a condition of the 1999 merger of SBC and Ameritech Illinois.

"This is a perfect example of how governments, business and community groups can work together to serve the citizens of Illinois," Governor Ryan said. "I commend SBC Ameritech and the ICC for creating this technology fund."

Throughout his administration, Governor Ryan has emphasized technology's role in our modern world and these grant funds will help ensure that citizens in low-income, high cost areas of the state are not by-passed by rapid developments in technology.

The Illinois Community Technology Fund is designed to ensure that citizens in rural areas and low-income communities have access to advanced telecommunications technology. ICTF funds may be used by qualified community organizations to buy computer equipment, software, Internet access, technical support, program design and other telecommunications services.

"Access to advanced telecommunications services is crucial to the continued development of our local communities, our schools and of the people throughout Illinois," Illinois Commerce Committee Chairman Richard Mathias said.

A condition of the merger called for SBC Ameritech to support the ICTF for 3 years through payments of $1 million per year. This is the final disbursement of funds.

Carrie Hightman, president of SBC Ameritech Illinois said the company was pleased to partner with the Illinois Commerce Commission in bringing such important resources to Illinois residents, "Access to telecommunications technology is vitally important to the success of the communities we serve."

Grant requests were reviewed and considered by the Illinois Community Technology Fund Board. The fund is administered by a not-for-profit corporation comprised of representatives of the Governor's Illinois Technology Office, Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois State Board of Education, Rural Partners, Illinois Assistive Technology Project, Community Workshop on Economic Development, Policy Research and Action Group, Illinois Small Business Utility Advocate, Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and SBC Ameritech.

A list of the award winners is posted on the Illinois Community Technology Funds website at http://www.ictf.org. The list of grant recipients follows.

• Southeastern Illinois Technology Partnership.................$42,547

• Mutual Ground, Inc...........................................$50,000

• South Central Illinois Mass Transit District.................$44,000

• Danville Area Community College Foundation...................$49,923

• Richland Community College...................................$40,000

• The Rock.......................................$40,537

• SIU Edwardsville....................................$49,000

• U of I on behalf of East St. Louis Action Research Project...$48,478

• Alternatives, Inc...................................$40,000

• Cambodian Association of Illinois............................$41,900

• Goodwill Industries of Metro Chicago.........................$36,455

• Greater Roseland Family YMCA................................$47,500

• Korean American Community Services...........................$49,000

• Lakefront SRO...................................$25,000

• Muhammad's University of Islam..............................$45,000

• Neighborhood Technology Resource Center......................$33,000

• North Star United Missionary Workers of America..............$43,000

• Paul J. Hall Community & Family Center.......................$49,925

• Polish American Leadership Initiative........................$48,000

• Southwestern Youth Collaborative.............................$42,689

• St. Angela School..................................$43,000

• Westside Health Authority....................................$48,795

• Wilber Wright College........................................$48,000

• Senior Services Associates Inc...............................$29,640

• Boys & Girls Club of Chicago - Ford Heights..................$34,425

• Alexian Brothers Northwest Mental Health Center..............$49,144

• Housing Authority of Joliet.....................$40,000

• Joliet Junior College..........................$22,600

• Skip-Along Child Development Services........................$39,890

• Illinois Valley Community College............................$38,000

• Peoria Regional Superintendent Of Schools....................$41,000

• Booker Washington Community Center...........................$26,010

• Martin Luther King Community Center..........................$24,600

• Crisis Center for South Suburbia Council.....................$10,527

• Regional Office of Education #3...........................$35,900

• Donka, Incorporated............................$27,932