HASTERT SENDS U-46 $500,000 TO COMBAT TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Amid scandal and impeachment proceedings in Washington, D.C., House
Speaker-to-be J. Dennis Hastert has not forgotten his hometown roots.

Elgin Area Unit District 46 officials have learned Hastert is sending
$500,000 their way to help local teens combat substance abuse.

Superintendent Marvin Edwards revealed the unexpected windfall at a
school board meeting Monday.

Hastert, a Yorkville Republican, plans to make a formal announcement
during a personal visit to Elgin High School Friday afternoon.

The U-46 grant will be part of a $2.5 million federal funding package,
to be split three ways between Chicago public schools, Elgin's U-46
schools and an East Aurora school district.

Chicago school officials will administer the program and funnel a
total of $500,000 each to Elgin and Aurora schools, Edwards said.

Apparently, the Chicago school board applied for the initial federal
grant, but Hastert intervened, arguing the city is not the only place
in the region with substance abuse problems.

"I think he feels there should be some proportionate spreading of
money between the city and suburbs," Edwards said. "I think it's a
matter of fairness."

While details about the grant were sketchy Monday night, U-46
officials were excited about the prospects of having more resources to
devote to prevention. As soon as possible, Edwards said he will send
U-46 grant writer Karen Fox to meet with Chicago school officials so
she can learn more about their joint project.

"We're looking forward to collaborating with Chicago," Fox
said.

U-46 schools already offer a variety of programs, such as DARE, which
is aimed at helping fifth-graders learn to say no to drugs and alcohol.

The district also recently received a $75,000 grant from the Grand
Victoria Casino to teach teenagers how to boost their self-esteem and
resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.