Ryan: $875,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $875,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $500,000 to Children's Memorial Hospital to support its Center for Childhood Safety.

The center works with the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Fire Department to address automotive safety, playground safety and burn prevention. The funds will be used to hire educators, coordinators and directors, and to purchase a van,supplies and materials. This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. John J. Cullerton, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan: $125,000 to Ravenswood Day Care, Inc., to renovate its space in the Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church to become compliant with local and state licensing requirements. The corporation is contributing $243,000. This project was initiated by State Sen. Lisa Madigan, D-Chicago.

$50,000 to the Rainbow House to hire a women's advocate and an administrative assistant. This project was initiated by Cullerton.

$50,000 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 Sen. James A. DeLeo, D-Chicago.

$50,000 to the Illinois Petroleum Equipment Contractors Association to develop and implement a training and certification program for all licensed contractors in Illinois and their employees. The association is contributing $14,000. This project was initiated by DeLeo.

$40,000 to Roosevelt University to support its welfare-to-work program, "Learning for Earning." The university is contributing $40,000. This project was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.

$30,000 to the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce to hire a marketing consultant for its streetscape project. This project was initiated by Ronen.

$25,000 to Horizons Community Services, Inc., to support its social service programs. This project was initiated by Ronen.

$20,000 to Housing Options for the Mentally Ill to conduct an assessment on the housing needs of people with mental illness in Evanston. This project was initiated by Ronen.

$15,000 to the Counseling Center for Seniors Citizens to provide transportation and bilingual services for its senior escort service program. This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

$10,000 to the Lesbian Community Cancer Project to purchase computer hardware and software. This project was initiated by Ronen.

$5,000 to the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, Inc., to purchase four air maintenance isolators for its research project. This project was initiated by Ronen.

$5,000 to the Skokie Chamber of Commerce to purchase two computers, a printer and to increase its web-site capabilities. This project was initiated by Silverstein.