$2.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for East Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2.5 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in East Central Illinois, including $700,000 to the Urbana Park District for the construction of an indoor swimming pool.

This pool will be part of Urbana High School and will be used by all members of the community. In addition, water safety programs will be taught to all public school children.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Stanley B. Weaver, R-Urbana.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $220,000 to the City of Danville to improve Nebraska Street and to replace a box culvert on Fairchild Street.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Judith A. Myers, R-Danville.

• $200,000 to the City of Danville to purchase and install Day Storage Tanks, which are essential for the construction of a waste pre-treatment system.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. William B. Black, R-Danville.

• $200,000 to the Metro Decatur Chamber of Commerce to fund a mobile agri-business center. The mobile center will consist of a renovated semi-trailer, which will be retrofitted to accommodate 10 learning stations.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth.

• $175,000 to the Findley Fire Protection District to replace an old fire truck and to supply the new truck with needed equipment.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $155,000 to the Village of St. Joseph for the flower island project in the downtown area and to enhance the lighting near the trees, barrels and flowers which line the sidewalks.
  This project was initiated by Weaver.

• $155,000 to the Village of St. Joseph for the flower island project.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Tom Berns, R-Urbana and former State. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Sidney.

• $150,000 to Cumberland County to replace the courthouse roof, guttering and down spouts. This will allow the continued use of this historic building well into the future.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Duane Noland, R-Blue Mound.

• $100,000 to Cumberland County to purchase new courthouse windows, as well as to repair loose brick, tuck point, clean and seal all exterior stone brick on the courthouse.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $100,000 to the City of Danville to replace the sewer system on the north-south alley east of Gilbert Street. This sewer has deteriorated badly in the last few years.
  This project was initiated by Myers.

• $100,000 to the Metro Decatur Chamber of Commerce to fund a mobile agri-business education center for the Chamber's Agri-Businesss Foundation.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $100,000 to the Old Kings Orchard Community Center Board to build a new community center. This will allow the board to offer programs and activities on health, nutrition and educational seminars, job training and budget classes.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Julie A. Curry, D-Mt. Zion.

• $50,000 to the Decatur Sports Foundation to build a pavilion that will provide storage space for concessions at the Borg Warner Complex.
  This project was initiated by Noland.

• $35,000 to Condit Township to renovate the township building. This will allow the return of voting to this location and will greatly enhance the space for township board meetings.
  This project was initiated by State. Rep. Rick Winkel, R-Champaign.

• $25,000 to the Decatur Family YMCA/YWCA to fund the interior construction of a child care facility. This includes funding for plumbing, labor, furniture and outdoor play equipment.
  This project was initiated by Curry.

• $20,000 to the City of Charleston Chamber of Commerce to produce a five to six minute television segment for the "Discover America" national cable series.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dale A. Righter, R-Mattoon.

• $15,000 to Friends Creek Township to repair the community building, which was damaged by a tornado.
  This project was initiated by Noland.