$5.6 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $5,617,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $2,000,000 to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio to restore the Frederick C. Robie House.

The House, which was acquired four years ago by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has suffered interior and exterior water damage due to a leaking roof. Completion of this project will make the house watertight. Additional funding of $5 million is being contributed through grants and private donations.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $700,000 to the Chicago Park District to construct an elevator with vestibule and stairs at the rear of the Washington Park field house and to rehab toilets, lockers and showers on the basement level and the first floor.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Robert S. Molaro, D-Chicago.

• $500,000 to DePaul University to implement its Networking for Success program.
  This project was initiated by Senate Democrat Leader Emil Jones, Jr., Chicago.

• $375,000 to Chicago Park District to install exterior lighting for three baseball fields at Durkin Park. The park district is contributing $375,000.
  This project was initiated by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, D-Chicago.

• $250,000 to the Mid America/China Management Training Center to establish a center which will provide middle and senior executives from China with executive education and management training.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $200,000 to Casa Central, the largest Hispanic social service agency in Chicago, for general operating expenses.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $125,000 to Fulfilling Our Responsibility Unto Mankind (FORUM) to provide infrastructure, training and support maintenance for computer technology and internet access for inner city, low income families.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Donne E. Trotter, D-Chicago.

• $100,000 to the Chicago Park District to develop the Children's Garden at the Midway Plaisance.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.

• $100,000 to the Saving Soles Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that solicits and restores new and gently worn shoes and distributes them to people in need, to establish an administrative office and distribution center.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $100,000 to Chicago State University to implement training for e-commerce and business to business in the Small Business Development Center.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $100,000 to the FCHN Program Mission to purchase a new vehicle and office equipment and to make facility repairs. The organization is contributing $50,000.
  This project was initiated by Molaro.

• $87,500 to the City of Burbank Fire Department to purchase a new ambulance.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Louis S. Viverito, D-Chicago.

• $80,000 to Roosevelt University to support its Learning for Earning training program at McCosh Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by Molaro.

• $75,000 to Fulfilling Our Responsibility Unto Mankind (FORUM) to provide infrastructure, training and support maintenance for computer technology and internet access for inner city, low income families.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $75,000 to Illinois Education Project to implement the Parent/Child initiative.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $50,000 to the National Center for Violence Interruption for all costs associated with the implementation of various programs within the organization.
  This project was initiated by Molaro.

• $50,000 to the Feed Clothe & Help the Needy Organization to make improvements to its shelter.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Daniel J. Burke, D- Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Combined Neighborhood Block Club for all costs associated with strengthening and maintaining present programs, as well as implementing new senior programs.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $50,000 to the Hegewisch Community Committee to develop more service partnerships for the southeast side of Chicago.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $35,000 to St. Luke M.B. Church to establish a Youth Development Enrichment Program.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $35,000 to Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation to purchase and install flooring in the common and office areas of the first of its St. Ailbe Senior Residence buildings.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $35,000 to Universal Family Connections, Inc. to purchase a 15 passenger van.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $30,000 to the South East Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center to purchase a van.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Todd H. Stroger, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase computers and related equipment to establish a Computer Enrichment program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Howard A. Kenner, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Chicago Youth Centers to complete installation of central air conditioning at the Rebecca Crown Center, purchase a computer and printer and to hire a Youth Worker for its Digital Photography program. The Crown Foundation is contributing $75,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to the South Shore Drill Team to purchase performance equipment, uniforms and shoes for new recruits and to pay off the remaining balance of a vehicle loan.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $20,000 to Chicago State University Office of International Programs to cover various travel expenses for four persons to attend professional development training.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Constance A. "Connie" Howard, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for the design, fabrication and installation of regulatory, informational and educational signs in the Eggers Grove and Wolf Lake Overlook Forest Preserves.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $20,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase new computers for Morrill School.
  This project was initiated by Burke.

• $20,000 to Chicago Public Schools to upgrade the restrooms at Sawyer School to make them ADA compliant.
  This project was initiated by Burke.

• $20,000 to Northeastern Illinois University Center to develop the Harold Washington Institute for Research and Policy Studies.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $20,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase band equipment for Sandoval School.
  This project was initiated by Burke.

• $15,000 to the JUSTUS Arts Education Program for all costs associated with producing the Courtroom, an AIDS awareness/prevention play, which will tour the Chicago Public Schools.
  This project was initiated by Kenner.

• $15,000 to the 15th Ward Crime Stoppers for general operating expenses. The City of Chicago Police Department is contributing $25,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Charles Morrow III, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors, Inc. to support the Lekotek Learning Center.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $10,000 to the Metropolitan Area Council of Black Churches to implement an after school computer program at its existing computer lab at Fernwood United Methodist Church in Chicago.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $10,000 to the Misericordia Home to provide salaries for 10-12 occupational therapists.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas J. Dart, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase computer hardware to support internet wiring at Hirsch Metro School.
  This project was initiated by Morrow.

• $10,000 to Chicago Public Schools to upgrade the science room at Bass Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by Burke.

• $10,000 to the 79th & Dorchester Block Club to replace sidewalks throughout the neighborhood.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $10,000 to Metropolitan Family Services to support the administrative costs for the Mentor of Mothers program (MOMS).
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $10,000 to Amer I Can Illinois, Inc. to hire two outreach specialists.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $10,000 to Hyde Park Career Academy Local School Council 62 to purchase equipment, supplies, uniforms and to pay for transportation for athletics and extra-curricular activities.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $10,000 to the 15th Ward Organization Crime Stoppers to produce anti-gang and drug literature.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $5,000 to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago to make minor facility improvements at the Mother and Child Nutrition program site at South Indiana Avenue.
  This project was initiated by Dart.

• $5,000 to Phoebe's Place for personnel expenses related to its nutrition, recreation, literacy, arts and health programs.
  This project was initiated by Dart.

• $5,000 to the Miles Davis Academy to make patching and painting repairs to its facility and to replace damaged blackboards.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $5,000 each to the following Chicago Public Schools:
  Parker Academy to install cameras at the north and south entrance

  Randolph Elementary School to allow the school to participate in the International Chicago Public Schools Scholars program.

  Guggenheim Elementary School to purchase computers and software.

  Park Manor Elementary School to provide stipends for four parents who serve as hall monitors.

  Altgeld School to purchase materials and supplies for its Windows on Science program.

  Davis M. Elementary School to make repairs.
  These projects were initiated by Morrow.

• $5,000 to Youth Guidance to hire a team administrator for its counseling program at Ray School.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to Ray Local School Council to purchase accelerated reader books for the library.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to the Murray Language Academy Magnet Local School Council to purchase technology equipment.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools to make technology improvements at Harold Washington Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $5,000 each to the following Chicago Public Schools:
  Shoesmith Elementary School to expand its music program.

  Parker Community Academy to purchase software.

  Murray Language Academy Magnet to implement a fine arts project with Lill Street Gallery.
  These projects were initiated by Obama.

• $5,000 to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago to make minor facility improvements at the Mother and Child Nutrition program site at South Yale Street.
  This project was initiated by Morrow.