Ryan: $625,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $625,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $400,000 for Roosevelt University to support its welfare-to-work program, "Learning for Earning," which focuses on encouraging work through vocational and occupational training, remediation, on-the-job training, motivational sessions, mentoring, case management, job placement and retention.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $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. Shirley M. Jones, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the Chicago Department of Transportation to improve pedestrian crosswalk pavements at six Ravenswood Manor intersections.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. John A. Fritchey, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to Roosevelt University to support its welfare-to-work program "Learning for Earning."
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Margaret Smith, D-Chicago.