$809,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $809,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $500,000 to Best Buddies Illinois to create a statewide presence.

The organization pairs students with mental retardation in one-to-one friendships with high school and college students and citizens through its e-buddies program. Through additional staff and volunteers the program will expand to 45 high schools, 33 college chapters and 35 citizen matches in the Illinois and the Chicago area.

This Illinois FIRST program was initiated by State Sen. James A. DeLeo, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to the Chicago Opera Theater to help support program fees associated with productions at the theater. The theater is contributing $283,942.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels, Elmhurst.

• $50,000 to the Shabbona Park Youth Corporation to purchase equipment for its programs, to pay off past debts and to publicize its program.
  This project was initiated by DeLeo.

• $35,000 to the Edgewater Community Council to implement a Balkan immigrant outreach program.
  This program was initiated by State Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to Community Counseling Centers of Chicago to support its Parent Education program. The organization is contributing $52,600.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund to hire a regional director.
  This project was initiated by Ronen.

• $25,000 to Horizons Community Services to hire an executive director.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.

• $21,000 to the Chicago Center for Health Systems Development to support its Lesbian Health Education training program.
  This project was initiated by Osterman.

• $15,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase TV's and VCR's for Jamieson School.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago.

• $15,000 to the Chicago Public Schools to purchase education materials and equipment for Niles North High School.
  This project was initiated by Silverstein.

• $15,000 to the Prop Theatre Group, a not-for-profit corporation, to support youth workshops for its 2001 New Play Festival. The corporation is contributing $43,100.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Lisa Madigan, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce to purchase supplies and materials for its programs.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $10,000 to the Lesbian Community Cancer Project to purchase seven computer stands, software and to hire a technician.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. John J. Cullerton, D-Chicago.

• $5,000 to the Chicago Public Schools to provide field trips to students at Gale Elementary Community Academy.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Chicago.

• $3,000 to the Armitage Avenue Corridor Chamber of Commerce to landscape the Bucktown retail and restaurant community.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.