$16.1 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $16.14 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $13,000,000 to renovate and restore the landmark Auditorium Theater.

Restoration of the theater will assure its continued vitality as a premiere center for the performing arts.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $1,000,000 to the Illinois Arts Council Foundation to support the Governor's International Arts Exchange Program.

• $1,000,000 to Loretto Hospital to purchase and install two new boilers.
  This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by Senate Democrat Leader Emil Jones, Jr., Chicago.

• $250,000 to Jobs for Youth to develop the Employment Technology initiative.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Donne E. Trotter, D-Chicago.

• $250,000 to Jobs for Youth to develop the Employment Technology initiative.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $100,000 to the Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago to design and plan its facility on 47th and Greenwood. The corporation is contributing $300,000.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $100,000 to the South East Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center to purchase office equipment and furniture and to fence and landscape around the facility parking lot.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $50,000 to the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Chicago DODO Chapter to purchase educational material for its aviation programs.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $50,000 to the Brainerd Community Development Corporation to purchase supplies and materials for its revitalization and economic development programs.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Monique D. Davis, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Southwest Community Congress to support its "Positive Peer Mentor" program. The organization is contributing $20,050.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Mary E. Flowers, D-Chicago.

• $40,000 to Artreach Inc., to provide materials, equipment and personnel for its "Project Bridge" program. The corporation is contributing $30,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Todd H. Stroger, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to Public Image Partnership, Inc., to support its job training and placement services.
  This project was initiated by Stroger.

• $25,000 to Big Buddies Youth Services to support a teen mentoring program and a sports training program. The organization is contributing $16,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Big Buddies Youth Services to support a teen mentoring program and a sports training program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to Northeastern Illinois University, Harold Washington Institute for Research and Policy Studies to begin the process of acquiring and cataloguing the papers of the late Mayor Harold Washington.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Constance A. "Connie" Howard, D-Chicago.

• $20,000 to the Mr. Malo Youth Center to support its diversion program for juvenile offenders in the South Deering Community.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $20,000 to Youth Guidance to support its Comer School Development Process at Bass Elementary School. The organization is contributing $60,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Daniel J. Burke, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors, Inc., to provide an after school program at the Lekotek Learning Center.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $10,000 to the Kenwood Academy High School to upgrade its technology labs.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $10,000 to United Youth of America to purchase supplies and materials for its GED and tutoring programs.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $10,000 to Harper High School to replace chairs in its auditorium.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $10,000 to the Kenwood Academy Local School Council to upgrade its technology labs.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $10,000 to the City of Chicago to support the Commander Davis 6th District Police Youth Explorers program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Charles Morrow III, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the City of Chicago to support the Commander Ford 7th District Police Youth Explorers program.
  This project was initiated by Morrow.

• $10,000 to the City of Chicago to support the Commander Walker 3rd District Police Youth Explorers program.
  This project was initiated by Morrow.

• $10,000 to the City of Chicago to support the Commander Molloy 8th District Police Youth Explorers program.
  This project was initiated by Morrow.

• $5,000 to the Parkside Community Academy Local School Council to make upgrades in the school bathrooms.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to the Black United Fund of Illinois to purchase a computer and software.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $5,000 to the Metropolitan Planning Council to implement a community technology initiatives project.
  This project was initiated by Howard.