$1.3 Million n Illinois FIRST Projects For Southwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,372,125 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs, including $500,000 to Kids In Need, an organization that provides care and counseling to children who are without parents due to death, medical emergency or court ruling. The agency serves approximately 6,000 children within a six-county area.

The funds will be used to purchase and renovate a home in Naperville for use as an emergency shelter with support services for children. The organization will contribute $100,000 from its operating budget.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $500,000 to the Village of Montgomery to fund road projects and signalization.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ed Petka, R-Plainfield.

• $200,000 to the Village of Shorewood to construct a three-lane bridge over the DuPage River, connecting River Road with a frontage road.
  This project was initiated by Petka.

• $119,625 to the Aurora Police Department to retrofit 48 laptop computers and purchase software for use in vehicles. The city will contribute $41,575.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Timothy L. Schmitz, R-Batavia.

• $32,500 to the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus for use by its rescue personnel.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora.

• $15,000 to the Fox Valley Park District to purchase a handicapped accessible van for transporting local senior citizens.
  This project was initiated by Lauzen.

• $5,000 to the Salvation Army Golden Diners in Geneva to purchase computers and software that will allow the organization to track the nutritional needs of its senior participants.
  This project was initiated by Schmitz.