SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today released $3.4 million to community agencies across the state for the purchase of specially-equipped urban paratransit vehicles for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
"The agencies receiving the vehicles provide a vital service in their communities by transporting senior citizens and persons with disabilities to their jobs, medical care, schools and other essential activities that enhance and enrich their lives," Ryan said. "Public funds that help these individuals retain their independence are a sound investment in the people of Illinois."
Through a state-coordinated one-stop shopping program, a combination of $682,600 in state and $2,730,400 in federal funds will be used to purchase a vehicle for each of 74 agencies. Three new service providers will receive vehicles, 53 agencies will use the new vehicles to replace vans or buses that have reached the end of their service capacity, and 18 agencies will expand their current service with additional vehicles.
All vehicles will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The following is a list of recipients and their location and the type of vehicles to be purchased:
ALSIP
Sertoma Center, Inc. - Van
ALTON
Challenge Unlimited, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
Senior Services Plus, Inc. - Van
BEARDSTOWN
Cass County Mental Health Association - Small paratransit bus
BEECHER
The Anchorage of Beecher - Small paratransit bus
BELLEVILLE
St. Clair Associated Vocational Enterprises, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
CANTON
American Red Cross - Fulton/Schuyler Chapter - Van
Community Mental Health Center of Fulton & McDonough Counties - Van
CARBONDALE
Senior Adult Services - Van
CENTRALIA
South Central Illinois Mass Transit District - Van
CENTREVILLE
Children's Center for Behavioral Development - Van
CHAMPAIGN
Mental Health Center of Champaign County - Small paratransit bus
CHARLESTON
CCAR Industries - Van
CHICAGO
Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. - Van
Bethel New Life, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
Chicago Association for Retarded Citizens - Small paratransit bus
Chicago Commons Comprehensive Senior Care - Small paratransit bus
Chicago REACH- Small paratransit bus
El Valor Corporation - Van
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club - Small paratransit bus
Misericordia Heart of Mercy - Van
Renaissance Adult Day Services, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago - Van
COUNTRYSIDE
Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center - Van
DECATUR
Macon Resources, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
DIXON
Kreider Services, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
Lee County Council on Aging - Van
Sinissippi Centers, Inc. - Van
DOWNERS GROVE
Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities - Small paratransit bus
DuQUOIN
The Gold Plate of Program of Perry County - Van
Five Starr Industries, Inc. - Van
EAST ST. LOUIS
Hazel Bland Promise Center - Van
Senior Services of St. Clair County, Inc. - Van
ELGIN
Jayne Shover Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center - Van
EVANSTON
Council for Jewish Elderly - Van
FLORA
Clay County Horizon Center - Van
Clay County Rehabilitation Center, Inc. - Van
FRANKLIN PARK
West Suburban Special Recreation Association - Van
GIBSON CITY
Gibson City Area Telecare Services, Inc. - Van
GLENWOOD
Edith Waller Foundation - Small paratransit bus
GREENUP
Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc. - Van
GREENVILLE
Bond County Senior Citizens Center, Inc. - Van
HOYLETON
Hoyleton Youth and Family Services - Van
JACKSONVILLE
Prairie Council on Aging, Inc. - Van
JOLIET
Trinity Services, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
LANARK
Rolling Hills Progress Center, Inc. - Van
LINCOLN
Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation - Van
McHENRY
Pioneer Center of McHenry County, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
McLEANSBORO
TRADE Industries - Small paratransit bus
MONEE
Eastern Will County Senior Services - Van
MONTICELLO
Piatt County Senior Citizens Transportation Program - Small paratransit bus
NORMAL
BroMenn Healthcare - Small paratransit bus
OAK LAWN
Park Lawn School and Activity Center - Van
PALATINE
Countryside Association for the Handicapped, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
PARIS
Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
Edgar County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. - Van
PEORIA
Door to Door, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
PONTIAC
Futures Unlimited, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
PRINCETON
Bureau County Senior Citizens Association - Small paratransit bus
RED BUD
Human Service Center of Southern Metro-East - Small paratransit bus
ROBINSON
Lawrence/Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens - Van
ROCK ISLAND
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois - Van
Project NOW, Inc. - Van
ROLLING MEADOWS
Special Leisure Services Foundation - Van
ROSICLARE
Rides Mass Transit District - Small paratransit bus
SANDWICH
Open Door Rehabilitation Center - Van
STERLING
Rock River Valley Self Help Enterprises, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
Whiteside County Senior Center - Small paratransit bus
SULLIVAN
Moultrie County Beacon, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
TROY
Jarvis Township Senior Citizen Center - Van
VANDALIA
FAYCO Enterprises, Inc. - Van
WASHINGTON PARK
Senior Citizens Activities Center of St. Clair County - Van
WATERLOO
Human Support Services - Van
WEST FRANKFORT
Franklin County Senior Services, Inc. - Small paratransit bus
