$1 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,031,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $300,000 to the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum to make improvements to art class rooms, the gallery space, the museum store and the roof. The organization also will upgrade the alarm system and purchase equipment and supplies.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $150,000 to the Museum of Contemporary Art to support its weekly admission-free day, "Free Tuesdays." The museum is contributing $726,810.

• $100,000 to the North Shore Community Center to renovate its kitchen and dining area for the implementation of the Golden Diners hot lunch program.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Lisa Madigan, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law to upgrade the power in four classrooms.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. John J. Cullerton, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Logan Square Neighborhood Association to support educational and vocational services at the Schneider School facility and parent programs at the Community Learning Center.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $50,000 to Lawrence Hall Youth Services to renovate its main campus on North Francisco Avenue.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to Family Focus to renovate the Weissbourd-Holmes Family Focus Center in Evanston.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.

• $40,000 to the Belmont Central Chamber of Commerce for community awareness projects, promotional activities and advertising.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Robert J. Bugielski, D-Chicago.

• $40,000 to Roosevelt Learning for Earning to hire staff and for support services at its training sites.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the LaVivienda Housing Development Corporation to hire a development director and a program coordinator.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. John A. Fritchey, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Friends of the Chicago River to make improvements at the Waters Elementary School gardens and the Riverside Neighbors restoration site.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $20,000 to the Theatre Building to purchase steel fire doors, tools and computers.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Chicago Public Schools to update technology at the George B. Armstrong School.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $11,000 to the Swedish Covenant Hospital to support its health center located in Roosevelt High School. The hospital is contributing $182,300.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.

• $10,000 to Chicago Public Schools to hire teachers and purchase equipment for Interdisciplinary Science Technology and computer classes at Reilly Public School.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Richard T. Bradley, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Lesbian Community Cancer Project to upgrade technology in its business office.
  This project was initiated by Feigenholtz.

• $10,000 to the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce to create and place informational and artistic kiosks in the business districts of the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $10,000 to Swedish American Museum Center to construct a permanent educational exhibit of a Viking ship. The organization is contributing $73,200.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $5,000 to the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce to help print 20,000 business directories.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Fritchey.

• $5,000 to the Jane Addams Resource Corporation to develop a metalworking technical training center.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago.

• $5,000 to Peoples Music School to help pay energy bills, purchase nonskid mats and to make phone system improvements.
  This project was initiated by McKeon.

• $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase a portable x-ray machine for Nicholas Senn High School.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase a portable x-ray machine for Nicholas Senn High School.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $5,000 to Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce to purchase a desk, chairs and a copier.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Joseph M. Lyons, D-Chicago.

• $3,000 to the Peterson Pulaski Business and Industrial Council to landscape at the entrance to the industrial corridor.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $2,500 to the Bucktown Community Organization for the production of its Summer 2001 edition of its neighborhood newsletter.
  This project was initiated by Fritchey.