Seventy human services providers in Illinois will receive more than $14 million in state funding for facility upgrades and accessibility, officials announced Friday. [Health News Illinois]

The state's human services and commerce agencies are distributing the funds. They are the first grants awarded as part of a program announced last fall.

“(Friday’s) awards demonstrate our commitment to building up the community-based organizations that are making a difference every day for communities in need,” Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou said in a statement.

Funds will head to providers in 24 counties, with nearly $6.5 million to 31 groups in Cook County.

See the full list of recipients here.

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