[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a total of $13,881,968 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several health care and refugee programs in Illinois.

“Today’s funding is an important investment in Illinois’ public health system,” said Durbin.  “It will support the essential health research done at our hospitals and universities and promote primary care programs that keep us healthy,” said Durbin.  

The following local health departments, organizations, medical centers and universities will be awarded funding under today’s announcement:

Chicagoland

• The American Society for Clinical Pathology (Chicago, IL): will receive $150,000 in funding from the Coordinating Office of Global Health to support laboratory training.

• The Chicago Department of Public Health (Chicago, IL): will receive $500,000 in funding from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases to expand support for Illinois immunization programs.

• The Meier Clinics Foundation (Wheaton, IL): will receive $2,500,000 in funding from the Administration for Children and Families / The Office of Family Assistance, through the Community Centered Healthy Marriage Program, to support Meier clinics, family bridges, and healthy marriage initiatives.
• The Southland Healthcare Forum Inc. (Chicago Heights, IL): will receive $1,580,207 in funding from the Administration for Children and Families / The Office of Family Assistance, through the Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program, to expand opportunities for those seeking a profession in health.
• Coapt, LLC. (Chicago, IL): will receive $474,481 in funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, through the Research for Mothers and Children Program, to expand research.
• Heartland Human Care Services, Inc. (Chicago, IL): will receive $1,340,310 in funding from the Administration for Children and Families / Office of Refugee Resettlement, through the Unaccompanied Alien Children Services Program, to provide assistance to refugee children in the United States.
• Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL): will receive $588,022 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, through the Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders Program, to support research on interplay between neuroprotective pathways, HIV, and astrocytes.
• The University of Chicago (Chicago, IL): will receive $408,625 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, through the Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders Program, to support research into targeted T-cell therapy for glioma.
• The University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL): will receive $207,503 from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, through the Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders Program, to support research into therapies to stimulate Remyelination.
• The Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, IL): will receive $70,352 in funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to evaluate and control airborne emissions from desktop 3D printers.
• The Illinois Department of Human Services (Chicago, IL): will receive $261,231 from the Administration for Children and Families / Office of Refugee Resettlement, through the Refugee Children School Impact Grants, to provide assistance to refugee children in the United States.
• Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc. (Evanston, IL): will receive $200,000 in funding from the Administration for Children and Families / Family and Youth Services Bureau, through the Basic Center Program, to support basic centers that help address the needs to runaway and homeless youth and their families.

• AIDS Foundation of Chicago (Chicago, IL): will receive $1,221,100 in funding from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), through the Mobilization For Health: National Prevention Partnership Awards (NPPA) Program, to support HIV prevention and pregnancy planning initiatives.

• The Iraqi Mutual Aid Society (Chicago, IL): will receive $107,300 in funding from Administration for Children and Families / Office of Refugee Resettlement, through the Ethnic Community Organization, to provide transition assistance to Middle East refugees.

Central Illinois

• The Illinois State Department of Human Services (Springfield, IL): will receive $3,915,844 in funding from the Center for Mental Health Services to expand mental health care and substance abuse service programs.

• The Illinois Department of Public Health (Springfield, IL): will also receive $175,000 from the Administration for Children and Families / Office of Refugee Resettlement, through the Refugee Health Services - Preventive Health Program, to provide assistance to refugee children in the United States.

• Community Elements, Inc. (Champaign, IL): will receive $181,993 in funding from the Administration for Children and Families / Family and Youth Services Bureau, through the Basic Center Program, to support basic centers that help address the needs to runaway and homeless youth and their families.