$1.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Suburban Cook County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.255 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Suburban Cook County, including $500,000 to the Westside Health Authority to construct the Austin Community Wellness and Educational Center, a new human services building.

The center will be constructed at the intersection of Chicago and Cicero avenues and will include two buildings. A two-story building will be leased to Cook County Hospital (Cook County Ambulatory and Health Care Network), Loretto Hospital (mental health and substance abuse services), and Everest Healthcare Services (dialysis center). The second building will house the Austin TECH Center which will be part of a campus-setting designed to expand human services for workforce development and computer literacy. The organization is contributing $3,392,659.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Calvin L. Giles, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the Village of River Forest to make improvements to its Lake Street corridor. The village is contributing $550,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Skip Saviano, R-Elmwood Park.

• $125,000 to Triton College to renovate its library.
  This project was initiated by Saviano.

• $75,000 to Lee's Infant and Child Care Center, Inc., to pilot the Family Literacy Program for parents who reside within the Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford, D-Maywood.

• $75,000 to the Grateful Hand Foundation to refurbish and upgrade its second floor client rooms and to purchase computer equipment and a network system.
  This project was initiated by Lightford.

• $75,000 to Covenant Kidz to purchase a van, tables, chairs and computers for the development of a center which will serve youth six weeks through 17 years of age.
  This project was initiated by Lightford.

• $50,000 to Maine Township to renovate its town hall.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ralph C. Capparelli, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Inspirational Outreach Ministries to purchase food, kitchen equipment, paper, pencils and learning materials.
  This project was initiated by Giles.

• $25,000 to the Original Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church to support and increase its outreach programs.
  This project was initiated by Giles.

• $25,000 to Reaching the Mark Inc., to implement an eight week summer enrichment program in support of the needs of youth who reside on the greater West Side of Chicago.
  This project was initiated by Giles.

• $25,000 to the Williams Care Outreach Mission Inc., to renovate its facility and to expand its social service programs.
  This project was initiated by Giles.

• $20,000 to the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce to purchase five turn-of-the century lights to be installled at the Norwood Park Metra Station.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Walter W. Dudycz, R-Chicago.

• $15,000 to the American Ukrainian Youth Association Inc., to purchase 30 new costumes for its community-based programs to youth in the Chicago area.
  This project was initiated by Dudycz.

• $15,000 to the Cook County Forest Preserve District to realign the North Branch Bicycle Trail. The district is contributing $22,000.
  This project was initiated by Capparelli.

• $5,000 to Maryville Academy to purchase technology equipment for its St. Margaret of Scotland campus.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas J. Dart, D-Chicago.