Ryan: $940,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for North Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $940,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in North Central Illinois, including $500,000 to Bradley University for the West Main Development Association, a not-for-profit group that provides planning and coordination of redevelopment opportunities for business, civic, and governmental units within the Peoria area.

Funds will be used to relocate electrical service in a two-block area of West Main Street in Peoria. The relocation will enhance electrical reliability to area businesses and rid the area of unsightly overhead lines.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. George P. Shadid, D-Edwards.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the Fondulac Park District in East Peoria to acquire and preserve 13.32 acres of land that contain a portion of the Fondulac Seep, a state identified natural habitat.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ricca Slone, D-Peoria Heights.

• $50,000 to the Galesburg Police Department to purchase and install automatic vehicle tracking devices for use in emergency vehicles.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Donald Moffitt, R-Gilson.

• $50,000 to the Village of Sibley to fund the Sibley Lake renovation project. These improvements will restore the Lake as a community attraction.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa.

• $40,000 to the Abingdon Fire Protection District to purchase a new 3,000 gallon tanker pumper truck. The District will contribute $117,708.
  This project was initiated by Moffitt.

• $40,000 to the Orion Community Fire Protection District to purchase equipment to better serve and protect the public.
  This project was initiated by Moffitt.

• $30,000 to the Kewanee Community Fire Protection District to purchase a new 1,800 gallon tanker pumper truck.
  This project was initiated by Moffitt.

• $20,000 to the Peoria Police Department to purchase additional equipment for its neighborhood bike patrol program.
  This project was initiated by Slone.

• $10,000 to the Warren County Prime Beef Festival in Monmouth to replace its grandstand bleachers and livestock pens that are in very poor condition and unsafe.
  This project was initiated by Moffitt.

Illinois FIRST funds are not part of the state budget's General Revenue Fund. Recently, lagging tax collections brought on by a slowdown in the national economy and the terrorist attacks of September 11 have forced the governor to order spending cuts in the General Revenue Fund that amount to less than 2 percent of total spending. Illinois FIRST monies are derived from separate accounts in the state budget -- the Road Fund and the Fund for Illinois Future -- as well as through the sale of state bonds.