$1.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.269 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $250,000 to the Thresholds Older Adult Program to help maintain and restore services that were cut as a result of Federal Medicare program changes.

The organization will provide psycho-social rehabilitation services to 45 seniors with severe and persistent mental illnesses to prevent re-hospitalization and institutionalization. The organization is contributing $121,000.

This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Institute of Cultural Affairs to make renovations to its community resource center and to hire a project manager. The organization is contributing $80,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the Albany Park Community Center to support its Teen Reach program. The organization is contributing $160,000.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $75,000 to the South East Asia Center to renovate a building for expanded services.
  This project was initiated by McKeon.

• $60,000 to the Center for Urban Research and Learning at Loyola University of Chicago to hire a community research outreach coordinator and a graduate research fellow.
  This project was initiated by McKeon.

• $50,000 to the Noble Fool Theater to build a new theater within the School of the Art Institute. The organization is contributing $1 million.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. John J. Cullerton, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Night Ministry to sponsor the Health Issues for Youth at Risk conference and the Skills of Managing Anger event.
  This project was initiated by Cullerton.

• $50,000 to the Howard Brown Health Center to hire a family practitioner, a program director and a promotion manager for its Women's Health program.
  This project was initiated by Cullerton.

• $50,000 to the Horizons Community Services to provide social services to the lesbian and gay community in Chicago.
  This project was initiated by Cullerton.

• $50,000 to the Chicago/Cook County Community Health Council to support its health promotions and cancer prevention projects.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Three Arts Club of Chicago to restore and renovate its facility, a Chicago landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Judy Erwin, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to hire a program director and purchase supplies. The organization is contributing $25,000.
  This project was initiated by McKeon.

• $30,000 to the Rodgers Park Community Development Corporation to equip its new administrative offices at West Morse Avenue.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to the Skokie Park District to develop a new soccer park and a dog park for Evanston and Skokie residents.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce to purchase and install informational kiosks and light pole banners in the business districts of the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. John A. Fritchey, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to the Inspiration Corporation to purchase equipment for its food training program. The organization is contributing $80,000.
  This project was initiated by McKeon.

• $25,000 to the Chicago City Theater Company for operational support for the Joel Hall Dance Center and the Joel Hall Dancers. The company is contributing $28,100.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to the Chicago House to install a wheelchair ramp at its building on West Augusta, to install a security system at its building on North Kenmore and to purchase computers for its office on North Clybourn.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to Housing Opportunities for Women to purchase a van and child car seats.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $20,000 to the West Side Mentally Retarded Children's Aid to purchase and install an electrical fence at its transportation storage area.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Robert J. Bugielski, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to Housing Opportunities for Women to purchase a van and child car seats.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Evanston.

• $20,000 to the Chicago/Cook County Community Health Council to support its health promotions and cancer prevention projects.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to the Ridgeville Park District to provide a drop-in child care program at Reba, Brummel and Elks Parks.
  This program was initiated by Ronen.

• $15,000 to the Chicago Park District to purchase a baseball/softball field groomer for Horner Park.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.

• $15,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase equipment and materials to develop a science lab at Solomon Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $15,000 to the Northside Learning Center to purchase equipment for a computer lab.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $15,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase reading, language and art materials and supplies for Madison Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $15,000 to the Chicago House Social Services Agency to provide security for its family support living facilities.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Louis I. Lang, D-Skokie.

• $10,000 to the Emerald City Theatre Company to purchase computers and software.
  This project was initiated by Feigenholtz.

• $10,000 to Shalva to purchase computer equipment and a telephone system.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $10,000 to the Lakeview Action Coalition to hire a project coordinator. The Coalition is contributing $39,057.
  This project was initiated by Cullerton.

• $10,000 to the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for support and sponsorship of the National Poetry Festival.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Monique D. Davis, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Metropolitan Area Council of Black Churches to implement an after school computer learning program.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $9,000 to Watered Garden to provide classes in Taekwondo, skating, art and calligraphy to children with disabilities and their families/caregivers.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $5,000 to the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce to develop a networking service.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $5,000 to the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce to purchase a new computer and software.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $5,000 to the Bucktown Race Committee to support the third annual Bucktown 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.