RYAN ANNOUNCES GRANT TO ASSIST CHICAGO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. George H. Ryan today released a $500,000 grant to the City of Chicago to assist with economic development in the Andersonville and Edgewater neighborhoods of the city.

"Economic development and jobs are among my top priorities," Ryan said. "This grant will help the city address some immediate needs in the Andersonville and Edgewater communities, and also will help these areas build the foundations to promote future economic growth."

The grant funds, awarded to the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, will be used to acquire land for redevelopment activities in the two communities, to develop comprehensive parking programs for their commercial districts, and to provide two years of operational support and assistance to the Edgewater and Andersonville Chambers of Commerce and the Edgewater Development Corporation.

The $500,000 was appropriated by the General Assembly through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The funds were included in the FY 1999 budget at the request of Rep. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago).