$1.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago's North and Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.862 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago's north and northwest suburbs, including $200,000 to the City of Des Plaines Self Help Pantry Closet to purchase a building at 600 Algonquin Street.

This volunteer organization provides about 12,000 needy individuals with donated food, clothing and other personal items.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Dave Sullivan, R-Mt. Prospect and State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, R-Des Plaines.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $195,000 to the Arlington Heights Park District to install a new lighting system at Meyer Field and to purchase playground equipment and make improvements at Hasbrook Park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Suzanne Bassi, R-Palatine and Sullivan.

• $175,000 to the Village of Bartlett to construct a left turn lane and access road for a new community athletic complex. The village is contributing $284,307.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Doris C. Karpiel, R-Carol Stream.

• $150,000 to the Alfred Campanelli YMCA, Schaumburg, to help construct an Early Childhood Development Center. The village is contributing $1,850,000.
  This project was initiated by Karpiel.

• $150,000 to the City of Des Plaines Fire Department to complete an addition to fire
  station 3.
  This project was initiated by Sullivan.

• $125,000 to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to expand its services and to remodel and renovate the Council for Jewish Elderly's Lieberman Geriatric Health Center.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jeffrey M. Schoenberg, D-Evanston and State Sen. Kathleen K. Parker, R-Northbrook.

• $114,000 to the Palatine Park District to renovate its community center. The district is contributing $1,986,000.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $90,000 to the Glenview Park District to purchase land to establish a nature preserve.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, R-Glenview and Parker.

• $80,000 to the Village of Inverness to install new emergency/warning sirens.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $75,000 to the Maine Township Road and Bridge District to purchase a backhoe and trailer.
  This project was initiated by Sullivan.

• $70,000 to the Rolling Meadows Park District to construct an accessible shelter with bathrooms at Kimball Hill Community Park and to install an accessible lift mechanism on the interior staircase at Plum Grove Park Community Center. The district is contributing $95,000.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $57,000 to the Evanston/Skokie School District to fund the district's first year expenses for "The Lighthouse Partnership", a collaboration between the district, the School of Education and the Social Policy at Northwestern University.
  This project was initiated by Schoenberg.

• $54,000 to the Village of Wilmette to purchase three thermal imaging cameras.
  This project was initiated by Parker.

• $52,000 to the Northern Illinois Police Crime Lab to purchase hardware and software to upgrade its Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
  This project was initiated by Parker.

• $50,000 to the Village of Mt. Prospect to install sidewalks.
  This project was initiated by Sullivan.

• $50,000 to the Village of Arlington Heights to purchase mobile video camera systems for its police cars.
  This project was initiated by Parker.

• $40,000 to the Village of Bartlett Police Department to purchase video equipment for five police cars.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Douglas L. Hoeft, R-Elgin.

• $40,000 to the Clearbrook Center for the Handicapped to renovate seven of its residential sites located in Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Mt. Prospect and Elk Grove Village.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $30,000 to the Salt Creek Rural Park District to purchase and install new playground equipment at South Park. The district is contributing $16,278.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $20,000 to the Alexian Brothers Northwest Mental Health Center, Arlington Heights, to upgrade its software systems.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $20,000 to the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce to purchase computer and office equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Walter W. Dudycz, R-Chicago and Sullivan.

• $10,000 to the Village of Hoffman Estates to purchase video equipment for two police cars.
  This project was initiated by Hoeft.

• $5,000 to the WINGS program, Inc. to purchase computers.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, R-Des Plaines.