| Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Democratic Chief Deputy Whip, joined a bipartisan majority today to vote for the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes nine FY09 appropriations bills that were not completed in the 110th Congress, was approved by a vote of 245 to 178. The bill now awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate.
"Passage of today's bill not only completes our work from last Congress, but it also funds our domestic priorities that have been on hold since former President Bush threatened cut funding for these programs,... said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). "The Omnibus Appropriations bill makes critical investments in energy research, healthcare, education, law enforcement and biomedical research that will help rebuild our country and help Americans during these tough economic times....
The Omnibus Appropriations bill also includes $2 million for critical projects in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois.
"I am proud that I was able to help secure $2 million in the Omnibus bill for important projects in my district. This funding will be used to improve public safety, expand educational opportunities, increase transit options, reduce domestic and gang-related violence, and expand veteran services... said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "These projects will make a real difference in the lives of my constituents. I hope that the Senate will move quickly to pass this bill and maintain the current funding levels....
The following projects for the 9th Congressional District were included in the House-passed the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.
• $475,000 Milwaukee Avenue Revitalization Program, IL.
The funding will be used to improve several major intersections with pedestrian safety features such as Pedestrian Countdowns as well as Traffic Signal Modernization.
• $381,000 Senn High School, Chicago, IL.
These funds will be used to renovate five science labs that are currently not functional. Senn High School currently only has one science lab that is fully functional. Less than 20 percent of its students meet or exceed state standards in science and its students are below the national average in the ACT in science.
• $300,000 Village of Hardwood Heights, IL.
These funds will be used by the Harwood Heights Police Department to purchase advanced technology computers, squad equipment, and vehicles.
• $237,000 Yellow Line Extension, Chicago, IL.
The funds will be used to extend the CTA's Yellow Line 1.75 miles north from its current terminus at Dempster St. in Skokie to Old Orchard Rd. and provide an infill station at Oakton.
• $143,000 Niles Township Superintendents Association, IL.
These funds will be used to build the Niles Township English Language Learners' (ELL) Newcomer Center. The goal of the Newcomer Center is to help families more easily assimilate to the American education system so that their children can do their best in school. • $125,000 District 63 Education Foundation, Niles, IL.
These funds will be used to expand the Total Learning Community Afterschool Program to Melzer Elementary School. The program would be able to serve an additional 75 students at Melzer who are at-risk for academic failure, need language acquisition, socialization opportunities, and need a safe, supervised, drug, alcohol and gang-free environment.
• $100,000 North Shore YWCA, Evanston, IL.
The funding will be used to strengthen and expand the YWCA's domestic violence services and develop new initiatives to keep women safe by hiring additional staff to meet the current demand for services. • $95,000 Access Living, Chicago, IL.
The funding will be used to hire a full-time Disabled Veterans Deinstitutionalization Coordinator who will provide targeted outreach to disabled veterans in nursing homes and work with them to successfully reintegrate into the community. • $95,000 Kohl Children's Museum, Chicago, IL.
The funding will be used for the Early Childhood Residents Program to increase the number of qualified early childhood educators. • $75,000 Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS), IL.
The funding will be used for purchase law enforcement atmospheric detection equipment for the NIPAS Emergency Services Team. Atmospheric detection equipment is needed to allow NIPAS law enforcement officers the ability to respond to crimes or other incidents involving hazardous environments, explosive devices, arson materials and narcotics. • $25,000 City of Evanston, IL.
The funding will be used for an anti-gang initiative for an undercover operation targeting high level gang leaders involved in the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics and illegal handguns. | |
