Rush Announces $1.57 Million in Funding for 1st District Community Projects Included in Appropriations Bills

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) announced that $1.57 million for projects in the 1st Congressional District -- which he previously requested as part of a new Community Project Funding process -- were included in Fiscal Year 2022 funding bills passed through the respective Subcommittees in the House Committee on Appropriations this week. The legislation is expected to be considered by the full Appropriations Committee this week and on the House Floor for a vote in the coming weeks.

"I am delighted that, by working hand in hand with stakeholders in our community, I was able to help secure $1.57 million in Federal funding in the appropriations bills for vital projects in the 1st District. From fostering inner-city economic development and facilitating job training for ex-offenders, to revitalizing programs at six public schools in my District, to making robust investments in healthcare and recreational facilities, these projects will create and expand opportunities and high-quality services for my constituents," said Rep. Rush. "I look forward to voting on this legislation on the House Floor in the coming weeks."

Rep. Rush secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills for the following projects (listed in alphabetical order):

$500,000 for Chicago Public Schools for the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Arts Revitalization program, which would revitalize and modernize programs at six schools in the 1st Congressional District, with a focus on schools that are either Fine and Performing Arts schools, STEM schools, or Personalized Learning Schools.

$20,000 for Christian Community Health Center (CCHC) for the purchase of ultrasound imaging technology. CCHC does not currently have equipment to offer ultrasound imaging for Obstetrics Gynecology (OB/GYN) services.

$65,000 for Common Threads for in-school and after-school cooking and nutrition education programs to help address public health disparities and ensure equitable access to engaging health education and nutritious food.

$100,000 for Community Assistance Programs (CAPs) for predevelopment costs for a new Workforce Campus, which will provide workforce training for unemployed adults, at-risk and foster youth, returning citizens (ex-offenders), seniors, and TANF and SNAP recipients. The project will assist 3,000 job seekers annually by providing job placement and training. The 2.4 acre-campus will also include temporary dorm housing for up to 60 students to provide stability while training.

$250,000 for Friend Family Health Center to assist with the relocation of Friend Family Health Center to the heart of the Woodlawn community. This project will help bring a state-of-the-art health center -- offering integrated, high-quality medical, dental, mental health, substance use disorder, immediate care clinic, and mammogram/ultrasound services -- to a medically underserved area that predominantly serves low- and moderate-income individuals. The project will also create an additional 100 construction jobs and bring 276 permanent full-time jobs to the community.

$300,000 for the Illinois College of Optometry for advanced diagnostic and teaching instruments to treat and improve care for patients with glaucoma. Over the past several years, the Illinois Eye Institute (the clinical division of the Illinois College of Optometry) has seen an increasing number of glaucoma patients, many with advanced glaucoma. This funding will help the Illinois Eye Institute more effectively manage patients and prevent severe vision loss.

$150,000 for Leo High School for a robotics academy to provide STEM education and help reduce the digital divide. Leo High School serves students from 26 zip codes, 97 percent of whom qualify for free and reduced lunch.

$25,000 for the Nehemiah Group for the Chicago Eco House Prison to Flower Farm Project. Chicago Eco House alleviates poverty and hopelessness in historically disenfranchised neighborhoods in Chicago through a bottom-up economic development and entrepreneurship program. This funding will help the organization build a prison to flower farm pipeline through its urban agriculture program, which has sites in Englewood, West Garfield Park, and West Woodlawn. This project will help create meaningful employment for at-risk youth and is an investment in the economic vitality of the South Side.

$160,000 for the Robbins Park District for repairs and renovations at the Robbins Community Center to provide residents with a safe and high-quality recreational activity facility in the community.

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