IMD Guest House Foundation Awarded One Million Dollar Grant From The State Of... -- CHICAGO, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CHICAGO, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, June 7, 2013 the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity approved a $1 million dollar grant to IMD Guest House Foundation. The IMD Guest House Foundation will utilize the grant to renovate 34 new rooms, re-locate staff offices, plus develop and design a community room where guests can interact and relax. IMD Guest House Foundation originally applied for a state grant back in 2004. The renovations will begin immediately with the goal of completion by September 30, 2013. In addition to the Foundation's expansion, the University of Illinois at Chicago will prepare 20 additional rooms for future use. IMD Guest House Foundation hopes to expand to 50 rooms by 2015, eventually taking up five floors of the SSR building on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. "This grant is incredibly important to our foundation's expansion and to help meet the needs of the patients, caregivers and families whom we support," explains Michael Mayse, Executive Director of the IMD Guest House Foundation. Without the Guest House, families would be sleeping in hospital waiting rooms, patient's rooms and even in their cars. This grant will make a positive difference in our guest's stay. Approximately 60% of the guests that stay at IMD Guest House are hardship cases. The rates for IMD Guest House accommodations are determined on a sliding scale based on income and special circumstances. No one is turned away from IMD Guest House because of inability to pay. IMD Guest House is conveniently located within walking distance of the IMD's amazing medical institutions, including Rush University Medical Center, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science Center. About IMD Guest House Foundation IMD Guest House first opened its doors to guests in 2005 and was originally formed to provide affordable accommodations to serve as a home-away-from-home for families and friends of loved ones receiving medical care in the Illinois Medical District area. The Guest House's mission has expanded to serve not only families and friends of patients, but the patients themselves. To learn more about IMD Guest House Foundation, visit www.imdguesthouse.org. MEDIA CONTACTS Jenn Lake or Alexis Lucente Zapwater Communications Email: Jenn@Zapwater.com or Alexis@zapwater.com Phone: 312.943.0333 RELATED LINKS http://www.imdguesthouse.org