Ryan: $506,500 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $506,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Central Illinois, including $150,000 to the Department of Agriculture to help construct a cover over the warm up ring immediately south of the coliseum on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

The cover will provide a safer environment in which to train and prepare; and to allow spectators to view the animals without being exposed to the weather.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the QEM Fire Protection District to purchase the land for construction of a new firehouse.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Vince Demuzio, D-Carlinville.

• $75,000 to Mt. Olive Community Unit School District 5 to help construct an all-weather running track.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield.

• $54,000 to New Berlin Community Unit School District 16 to help construct an all-weather running track.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Larry K. Bomke, R-Springfield.

• $50,000 to the Animal Protective League to construct a multi purpose building, new driveways and parking lots and to replace insulation in an existing shelter at the Waggin' Tails shelter in Rochester.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.

• $25,000 to the Cass County Historical and Genealogical Society to construct a building addition and a walkway.
  This project was initiated by Bomke.

• $25,000 to PORTA Community Unit District 202 to help construct a community park in Petersburg. The district is contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by Bomke.

• $20,000 to Deer Creek Township to complete loan payments on a road grader.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Keith P. Sommer, R-Mackinaw.

• $7,500 to the Mason City Historical Society to purchase a new base for the Civil War Soldiers' Monument.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Bud Stone, Morton.

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.