Ryan: $780,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Suburban Cook County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $780,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Suburban Cook County, including $250,000 to Dominican University to renovate its Rebecca Crown Library. This library is one of the only two American Library Association accredited Library and Information Science programs in Illinois.

The renovations will include enhanced instructional areas, significant technology upgrades and structural and cosmetic restoration. The university is contributing $48,814.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano, R-Elmwood Park.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park to install an ADA accessible elevator in the Hemingway museum.
  This project was initiated by Saviano.

• $100,000 to Oak Leyden Developmental Services to purchase a house to serve as a community-integrated living arrangement for four adult men with autism.
  This project was initiated by Saviano.

• $100,000 to Casa Italia to install an elevator and air-conditioning in each of its five buildings.
  This project was initiated by Saviano.

• $100,000 to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame to purchase structural steel for the construction of a new building. The institution is contributing $120,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ralph C. Capparelli, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery to replace the roof, boilers, windows and interior carpet at its facility.
  This project was initiated by Saviano.

• $50,000 to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art to purchase and install a heating and cooling system, make repairs to the roof and front façade and to replace the flooring in the main gallery.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Walter W. Dudycz, R-Chicago.

• $25,000 to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame to purchase structural steel for the construction of a new building. The institution is contributing $120,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe, R-Chicago.

• $5,000 to the Greater DuPage MYM to remodel its office space.