$5.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $5.5 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $4 million to Kennedy King College to purchase land for its new campus. An architectural engineering study was conducted by Chicago's Public Building Commission and a feasibility study was commissioned by the City Colleges of Chicago. It was determined by the City Colleges that a new "state of the art campus" should be constructed due to inefficiencies, excessive repair costs, health and safety hazards, and the lack of an environment conducive to learning at the current campus.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by Senate Democrat Leader Emil Jones of Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $1,000,000 to the Haymarket Center to renovate the main facility and daycare center.

• $90,000 to the Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation to purchase storage lockers, partitions, security equipment and common and office area furniture for the St. Ailbe Senior Residence.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Todd H. Stroger, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the ABC Association to provide existing and potential childcare providers with technical, educational and financial support for starting and managing a licensed childcare business in Illinois.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Donne E. Trotter, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad to purchase video cameras for its television production studio.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $37,500 to the Chicago Urban League to conduct a study on the use of educational technology in Chicago Public Schools.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the Chicago Park District for the costs of operating the Mt. Greenwood Park Skating Rink for an additional two days each week.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas J. Dart, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to the Positive Anti Crime Thrust, Inc. to hire personnel, to purchase equipment and to pay rent/utilities for its Youth Enhancement Strategy (YES) program.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $30,000 to the Southwest Side Senior Service Organization to purchase furniture and various equipment and to provide classes and programs within its senior center.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Robert S. Molaro, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Rainbow House/Arco Iris to hire personnel, purchase a computer, and to pay the rent/utilities for the operation of its Domestic Violence Prevention and Education program.
  This project was initiated by Dart.

• $16,000 to the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce to purchase a computer system, office equipment, a table for the conference room and to install a second telephone line.
  This project was initiated by Trotter.

• $14,000 to the Chicago Board of Education to fund the evaluation component and materials for The Breakable Vow Dating Prevention program in the following Chicago Public Schools: Kelly High School, Steinmetz High School, Mather High School, Marshall High School and Collins High School.
  This program was initiated by Dart.

• $10,000 to Chicago Public Schools to provide electric service to a computer lab, establish an internet link for the school library and to purchase computers, software and furniture for Reed School.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Daniel J. Burke, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Afro American Playwrights Inventive Theatrical Troupe to support educational and cultural arts in the Lilydale Community.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Connie Howard, D-Chicago.

• $10,000 to the Calumet City School District 155 to make technology improvements at Wentworth School.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $5,000 to the Calumet City School District 155 to make technology improvements at Wilson Elementary.
  This project was initiated by Howard.

• $5,000 to Deborah's Place to provide food, bus tokens, shoes, toiletries, field trips, a medical and dental fund and a scholarship fund to homeless women at the shelter.
  This project was initiated by Dart.

• $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase computers for Powell Academy.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago.

• $5,000 to the Parker Child/Parent Center to purchase and install security equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Charles Morrow, D-Chicago.

• $5,000 to the Chicago Public Library/Blackstone Branch to support two jazz concerts and to purchase workshop materials for the development of the library's jazz collection.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $5,000 to the Powell Local School Council to purchase computers.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to the Fiske Local School Council to purchase a ceiling screen, stage curtains and new window shades for the multi-purpose room.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to the Chicago Public Library/Blackstone Branch to support the honorarium of a major poet for a poetry writing workshop.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $5,000 to Parkway's Foundation to provide free family entertainment and programs at Gage Park and Lindbloom Park.
  This project was initiated by Burke.

• $2,500 to the Hyde Park Youth Symphony to hire an instructor and a practice supervisor.
  This project was initiated by Currie.

• $2,500 to the Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference to sponsor the Chicago Academic Games League.
  This project was initiated by Obama.

• $2,500 to the Hyde Park Youth Symphony for additional outreach and recruitment.
  This project was initiated by Obama.