Ryan: $627,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Suburban Cook County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $627,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in suburban Cook County, including $400,000 to the Village of Franklin Park for the concrete paving of all non-paved alleys in conjunction with enhanced storm water drainage for those alleys. The village is contributing $400,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano, R-Elmwood Park.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to Leyden Township to install a new parking lot at its government building. The township is contributing $194,000.
  This project was initiated by Saviano.

• $30,000 to the Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral, Maywood, to purchase equipment, materials and supplies for its after school program. The organization is contributing $15,000.

• $25,000 to the Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action, Hillside, to hire additional staff and for auditing expenses.

• $25,000 to Proviso Township High School District 209 to hire drug counselors, social workers and other trained professionals for its Student Assistance Program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Karen Yarbrough, D-Maywood.

• $25,000 to Oak Park Elementary School District 97 to purchase materials for students in the Waterford Early Reading Program. The district is contributing $225,000.
  This project was initiated by Yarbrough.

• $20,000 to Joseph Academy, Niles, to help convert a warehouse-office building into a special education school.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dan Cronin, R-Elmhurst.

• $20,000 to Maywood Elementary School District 89 to purchase computer equipment for Emerson, Melrose Park and Irving Schools in Maywood.
  This project was initiated by Yarbrough.

• $17,000 to Forest Park Public Schools District 91 to purchase notebook computers for students and staff at the Middle School.
  This project was initiated by Yarbrough.

• $15,000 to the Miracle Revival Center to help support its food pantry.

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.