FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sheri McGill Executive Director 309.681.0091 sheri.mcgill@peoriapromise.org
Peoria Promise Receives Grant from Ameren Illinois Peoria, Illinois (November 18, 2013)—Peoria Promise received a $5,000 grant from Ameren Illinois to help support the organization’s efforts to provide students who live in the city of Peoria, and graduate from a public school, with a scholarship to attend Illinois Central College. The grant was made through the Ameren Cares program, which connects Ameren Illinois with the communities it serves through charitable giving and volunteering. Richard J. Mark, president and CEO, Ameren Illinois, was pleased to support such a valuable cause. “Ameren Illinois is proud to support organizations that improve the quality of life within the communities we work and live,” Mark said. “Community and education go hand in hand, and Ameren understands the relationship between the two. That’s why Ameren is a proud supporter of Peoria Promise and the Peoria community.” Peoria Promise Executive Director, Sheri McGill, states “I hope the support of Ameren Illinois encourages other business leaders to take action to help strengthen the efforts of Peoria Promise. By providing scholarships to students, Peoria can expect to see a more skilled and educated work force, which will in turn improve economic development and increase the quality of life for the entire community.” Peoria Promise continues to set Peoria apart as the only community in the state guaranteeing post high school education opportunities to all qualified public school graduates living in the city. A better-educated population is destined to make Peoria a more desirable place to live and raise a family. Peoria Promise Chairman of the Board, Mayor Jim Ardis, states, “We are honored by the continued support of Ameren Illinois to improve our current economic climate by supporting education in the City of Peoria. There is no greater building block than the education of our children; it is the foundation for our community.” ### About Peoria Promise In the past five years, Peoria Promise has made a difference in the lives of more than 1,300 Peoria students attending ICC in their pursuit of an occupational certificate, an associate degree or a baccalaureate transfer program. To date, Peoria students have received more than $2 million dollars in scholarships. For more information on Peoria Promise, please visit www.peoriapromise.org. About Ameren Illinois Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 806,000 natural gas customers in Illinois, and our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentallyresponsible manner. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com or find us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois.