$15.8 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $15.843 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $10 million to Northwestern University.

Funding will be used for the planning and construction of a new biomedical research facility. The facility will be located on the site of the former Passavant Hospital and will provide 640 permanent jobs.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $3,500,000 to the Lawrence Hall Youth Service to plan and design a residential treatment and education center.

• $190,000 to the White Oak Foundation to fund free post-adoption referral and information services to Illinois-born adoptees and their birth and adoptive families.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago.

• $500,000 to the Illinois Institute of Technology to be used for research and development by IIT's National Center for Food Safety and Technology located on its campus.

• $500,000 to the Lincoln Park Zoo to renovate space used for educational programs and workshops for teachers, children and families.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Lee A. Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

• $333,000 to the Executive Service Corps of Chicago for expenses associated with professional development training for volunteers, and general program support.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $250,000 to the Executive Service Corps of Chicago for expenses associated with professional development training for volunteers, and general program support.

• $260,000 to Open Hand Chicago for its food and nutrition services project, which provides groceries, nutritional assessments, counseling and education to its low-income clients.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Louis I. Lang, D-Skokie.

• $100,000 to the Chicago Opera Theater to fund three productions.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Judy Erwin, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the Frank Hren Foundation in Morton Grove to develop Discovery Park, an outdoor learning center located at Golf Middle School.
  This project was initiated by Lang.

• $60,000 to Metropolitan Family Services in Evanston to fund a program aimed at strengthening families and empowering parents.
  This project was initiated by Lang.

• $50,000 to the Edgewater Community Council Education Committee to enhance its after school learning program, which serves children with behavioral disorders.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to Chicago Health Outreach which provides support services for homeless persons with disabilities. Funds will be used to renovate buildings.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Lisa Madigan, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to Metropolitan Family Services to hire a part-time bilingual case advocate and staff to provide expanded services for at-risk parents and children.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Robert J. Bugielski, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to support the Russian Senior Center, which provides health, counseling and advocacy services.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $25,000 to the Evanston Chamber of Commerce to form a new regional convention and tourism bureau for Chicago's North Shore.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to SHORE Community Service, Inc. in Skokie to purchase a van for transporting clients with developmental disabilities.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $15,000 to Metropolitan Family Services in Evanston to fund research-based activities for its clients in order to strengthen families and empower parents.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Oakton Community College in Des Plaines to purchase lighting equipment for its performing arts center.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $10,000 to Diverse Communications and Health Media Foundation to purchase radio airtime for public service announcements that provide health information.
  This project was initiated by Feigenholtz.

• $10,000 to the Lakeview Action Coalition to fund a Hate Crime Task Force project in the Chicago communities of Lakeview and North Center. This project was initiated by Feigenholtz.

• $10,000 to TransGenesis for technology upgrades. This project was initiated by Feigenholtz.

• $10,000 to Northcenter Chamber of Commerce to install a sound system in the town square for a summer concert series.
  This project was initiated by L. Madigan.

• $10,000 to the Mission of Our Lady of Mercy, Inc. to demolish an abandoned warehouse on the property of Mercy Home.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Joseph M. Lyons, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Latin American Chamber of Commerce to fund ten business breakfasts, forums for discussing issues affecting Hispanic businesses.This project was initiated by State Rep. Richard T. Bradley, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Edgewater Community Council to provide workshop and individual assistance regarding the process for property tax appeals.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $10,000 to Diverse Communications & Health Media Foundation to fund public service announcements on health issues.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $5,000 to the Lincoln Bend Chamber of Commerce to purchase planters which have a more uniform look throughout its business district. The chamber will contribute $5,000.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $5,000 to Gilda's Club to support the Basic Three Plus program that provides health and emotional support to cancer survivors and their families.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $5,000 to Stephen K. Hayt School to fund a down payment for a security system.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.