$4.1 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago's South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD - - Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $4,136,606 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago's south suburbs, including $1.3 million to the Village of Willow Springs for street improvements to Archer Avenue.

The project consists of widening the road, burying Commonwealth Edison lines, constructing a retaining wall, and upgrading and adding signals. The improvements are necessary to accommodate the increased traffic that the construction of the new public safety building will bring to the avenue. The new building will house both the village fire and police departments and replace the existing village hall. This project will benefit 7,000 people.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $800,000 to the Village of Willow Springs to construct and furnish a new public safety building. The village is contributing $2,350,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange and Zickus.

• $500,000 to the Village of Western Springs to renovate and expand its public services facility. The village is contributing $700,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs and Radogno.

• $300,000 to the City of Blue Island to make street, curb, sidewalk, and sewer system repairs.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Patrick J. O'Malley, R-Palos Park.

• $150,000 to the Village of Tinley Park Fire Department to purchase a new fire truck. The village is contributing $150,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $100,000 to the Village of Posen to make street, curb, and sewer system repairs.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $100,000 to the Matteson and Richton Park police departments to install a data infrastructure network to join emergency services with the Village of Olympia Fields. The villages are contributing $20,900.
  These projects were initiated by Kosel.

• $80,000 to the Oak Lawn Fire Department to purchase an ambulance..
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James D. Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park.

• $75,000 to South Star Services to assist in purchasing, renovating, and establishing a community home for five senior men with developmental disabilities. The organization is contributing $121,250.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

• $75,000 to the Palos Heights Public Library to expand and redesign the library parking area. The city is contributing $125,000.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $70,000 to the Village of Worth to purchase safety and educational equipment.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $50,000 to the Chicago Zoological Society to make improvements to the public walkway inside Brookfield Zoo's Seven Seas Dolphinarium. The society is contributing $10,000.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $50,000 to the Village of Park Forest to redevelop Logan Park and improve access to Old Plank Road Trail. The village is contributing $50,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, Jr., D-Flossmoor.

• $50,000 to Bremen Township to repave the driveway and parking area and to make roof repairs at its township administration building in Oak Forest.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $45,000 to the Oak Forest Park District to construct and equip a playground at Fieldcrest School.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $37,750 to the Evergreen Park Public Library to renovate and upgrade the library.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $35,000 to the Hodgkins Park District to purchase a bus. The village is contributing $30,000. This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $30,000 to the Village of Flossmor Library to hire an architectural firm to design an expanded facility. The village is contributing $25,833.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $30,000 to the Village of Palos Park to construct a safety barrier and fence around a field used for various sports events.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $30,000 to the Midlothian Park District to upgrade the playground at Kostner Park.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $25,000 to the Stickney Forest View Library District to purchase a security system.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $25,000 to the Bethlehem Community Development Corporation, Harvey, to provide an eight-week summer day camp through a partnership with the Bethlehem Temple Missionary Church.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William "Bill" Shaw, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to the Pleasantview Fire Protection District to purchase a mobile "fire prevention fire safety house".
  This project was initiated by Zickus and Radogno.

• $20,000 to make technology updates at each of the following public libraries:
  Tinley Park
  Richton Park
  New Lenox
  These projects were initiated by Kosel.

• $15,000 to Breman Youth Services to expand its mentor/tutor program.
  This program was initiated by Crotty.

• $10,000 to the Will County Highway Department to install a pedestrian crosswalk across Gougar Road, south of Route 30.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $10,000 to the Palos Park Public Library to purchase equipment and materials to establish an "American Heritage Collection" section.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $10,000 to the Palos Heights School District to purchase and replace playground equipment at Chippewa Elementary School. The district is contributing $20,000.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $10,000 to the Blue Island Public Library to purchase computers and related equipment.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $5,000 to the Chicago Ridge Police Department to purchase supplies for its Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.