Additional casino cash earmarked for literacy

Four Kane County literacy programs would share $110,000 in grant funds under a plan recommended by the county board's executive committee Thursday.

A three-member county committee two weeks ago proposed doling out $90,000 to the four agencies, but board vice chairman Don Wolfe argued they deserved more money than many of the other three dozen charitable organizations, community groups and government agencies in line for riverboat grants.

Wolfe balked at giving money to municipalities, fire departments, the county health department, court system and other local governments.

"To give money to other taxing bodies, to give money to ourselves, to me is a complete misapplication of this program," said Wolfe, an Elgin Republican.

The four literacy programs recommended for additional funding are operated by the YWCA of Elgin, St. Charles-based Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley, Friends of Aurora's After-School Programs Fund, and Literacy Connection of Elgin.

Since 1997, the county has received funds from Elgin's Grand Victoria riverboat casino. Officials use the money for projects that promote environmental protection, education or economic development. Applicants are encouraged to seek additional sources of funding to supplement the grants.

The county's 2008 riverboat proceeds are estimated at $7.2 million. Of that, nearly $3.4 million has been allocated to internal county projects, including grants to the Child Advocacy Center and the state's attorney's office's domestic violence unit. Another $2 million is earmarked for the farmland preservation program.

The remaining $1 million would benefit more than 40 community groups, including the four literacy programs discussed Thursday. The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, the Salvation Army of Elgin and Aurora's Hesed House homeless shelter are in line to receive $100,000 each -- the largest grant available for a single project.