Morris Secures State Library Grants to Support Local Literacy and Accessibility Services

CHICAGO – State Rep. Yolonda Morris, D-Chicago, secured over $300,000 of grants to support local adult literacy programs and the Radio Information Service (RIS) program in the new state budget, improving access to broadcast and print media to the visually impaired.

“I am proud to have supported a budget that ensures continued support for our state’s most critical programs,” said Morris. “The ability to read is essential to anyone’s efforts to navigate our world, and I encourage those who can’t or struggle to enroll in programs like ours. And everyone, regardless of their ability to see, should have access to the same news and information that others do.”

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office announced that the following service providers awarded Library and Literacy Grants funding on Chicago’s West Side were:

Literacy Chicago – $100,000
Safer Foundation/PACE Institute – $59,004.00
The Chicago Lighthouse – $68,599.00
The Learning Center/House of Connections – $73,164.00

In addition to providing financial support for our state’s libraries, the Library and Literacy Grants program also supports critical services and institutions related to reading and information services. Most of the aforementioned institutions operate programs that provide instruction to adults who read below the 9th grade level or speak English as a second language. The Chicago Lighthouse, which also operates a school for the visually impaired and disabled on the city’s West Side, operates the Chicagoland’s RIS program. 9 RIS programs operate across the state, serving Illinois’ diverse regions.

“Many residents in my area, and across the state, are unable to read at a level that would give them the ability to maintain a good-paying job. And in that respect, this program also provides participants an economic incentive,” said Morris. “We also know that access to good jobs and opportunities has compounding positive effects that echo throughout our communities. I am proud of our continued support of these critical programs, and I will work to find out what more can be done to help them accomplish their very important missions.”