SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.665 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $750,000 to the Ounce of Prevention Fund to repay a loan used for construction of the Erikson Institute Educenter.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the Near North Neighborhood Network to support the Humboldt Park redevelopment project. The MacArthur Foundation and the Chicago Community Trust and Woods Fund are contributing $127,033.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Miguel del Valle, D-Chicago.

• $100,000 to the Northwest Neighborhood Federation to implement an education advocacy program.
  This project was initiated by del Valle.

• $100,000 to the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce for outreach, marketing strategy, infrastructure and leadership training.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Antonio "Tony" Munoz, D-Chicago.

• $80,000 to the Youth Service Project to support its youth programs.
  This project was initiated by del Valle.

• $60,000 to the Latin American Development Services Corporation to support its music and arts program.
  This project was initiated by del Valle.

• $50,000 to the Chicago Park District to rehab the boys gym at McKinley Park.
  This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $50,000 to the Division Street Business Development Association to provide technical assistance to small businesses.
  This project was initiated by del Valle.

• $50,000 to the Wabash YMCA to support programs at the Grand Boulevard/Douglas neighborhood center. The organization is contributing $100,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Shirley M. Jones, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to Streetwise to implement its "Small Business Incubator" program.
  This program was initiated by State Sen. Margaret Smith, D-Chicago.

• $40,000 to the Life Foundation, Inc., to provide social services to female ex-offenders and their families.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Rickey R. Hendon, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the YMCA Corporation & Foundation for project management consulting fees for the renovation of its Washington Park facility.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Lovana S. "Lou" Jones, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to St. Ambrose Catholic School to purchase multimedia computer software.
  This project was initiated by L. Jones.

• $25,000 to the Union League Boys & Girls Club to purchase equipment and supplies for its violence prevention programs. The club is contributing $93,670.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to St. Anthony's Willing Worker's Spiritual Temple to support its youth programs.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $20,000 to the Old Wicker Park Committee for community service programs.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Cynthia Soto, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to Northeastern Illinois University, Harold Washington Institute for Research and Policy Studies to begin the process of acquiring and cataloguing the papers of the late Mayor Harold Washington.
  This project was initiated by L. Jones.

• $5,000 to Lake Parc Place Social Programs/Community to support its youth cultural awareness, recreational and educational programs.
  This project was initiated by Smith.