Olympics outreach to aid needy
Fleshing out a plan first reported by the Sun-Times last month, some of Chicago's largest foundations are committing millions of dollars to needy neighborhoods as part of an Olympics-related outreach.
The announcement is set for Monday but a source said Friday that the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the McCormick Tribune Foundation and the Polk Bros. Foundation are among the lead contributors to the fund.
Chicago 2016 officials declined to comment Friday. Last month, Chicago 2016 chairman Pat Ryan said: "The people in these communities want the Olympics to improve their communities the most. But we're a close second."
The fund, which could provide $8 million for job training, affordable housing and commercial and retail development, is expected to begin making grants by April.
Andrew Herrmann