GRANTS HELP ILLINOISANS GET TO JOBS

Two Illinois grant programs, announced this week by Gov. George H. Ryan, will help low-income workers in Southern Illinois reach their jobs, including as many as 60 workers with employment in Cape Girardeau.

"The lack of transportation is a significant barrier to many individuals who are attempting to work their way off Temporary Assistance for Needy Families," said Kline Cameron, a spokesman for Department of Human Services. "Grants like these are particularly helpful in Southern Illinois where workers don't have the benefits of mass transportation systems."

The grants, issued through the department include:

* $49,000 to the Trident Transportation Program that assists workers in Alexander and Pulaski counties to reach their jobs in Cape Girardeau.

* $100,000 for the state's award-winning "Cars to Careers" program that helps low-income workers reach jobs in Williamson, Perry, Jackson, Jefferson and Franklin counties.

Trident Transportation, headquartered in Carterville, Ill., provides transportation for more than 60 workers to and from employers in Cape Girardeau, including Procter & Gamble.

700 families helped

That could increase with the new grant, said the department's secretary, Linda Renee Baker. It is estimated that as many 300 people will be served.

The Cars to Career program, provides car repairs, insurance, gasoline and some road-ready used cars to families in need. Since its beginning, Cars to Careers has helped more than 700 families.

"I never get tired of acknowledging the partners, including those from the private sector, who are working with the department to make welfare reform in Illinois among the most successful efforts in the nation," said Baker. "I am particularly pleased that the partners associated with these two transportation projects are working very hard with other Southern Illinois leaders to develop a permanent transportation solution for the area."

The department has worked with the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago to provide technical assistance to both programs to develop a plan to operate independently.

The Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, Mississippi Delta Empowerment Zone, Illinois Workforce Advantage and other partners in this effort are examining the possibility of establishing a mass transit district, among other options.