$715,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $715,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $300,000 to Metra for the remodeling and repairing of the embankments and viaducts along mass transit lines from 47th to 57th streets.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Chicago Park District to develop a new park/playground at North Artesian Street in the West Town community.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Miguel del Valle, D-Chicago.

• $80,000 to the Chicago Housing Authority to develop a playlot on East Pershing Road.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Margaret Smith, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the Chicago Public Schools to implement after school programs at Darwin and McAuliffe Elementary schools.
  This project was initiated by del Valle and State Rep. William Delgado, D-Chicago.

• $70,000 to the 24th Ward Businessmen Corporation to establish and administer a local grant program to assist in retaining businesses that are at risk of closure.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Rickey R. Hendon, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Working in the Schools program to purchase materials for a new training program.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Antonio "Tony" Munoz, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the Town of Cicero to complete phase 2 of Drexel Park South.
  This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $10,000 to the Chicago Park District to remove and replace the fence at Kennicott Park located in the Kenwood community.
  This project was initiated by Smith.