SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $3.064 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the South Suburbs, including $750,000 to the City of Blue Island to remove and replace existing sidewalks and to construct new sidewalks where none exist within the 3rd ward of the city.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by Senate Democrat Leader Emil Jones, Jr., D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $500,000 to the Village of Justice to purchase two parcels of land to be used as a Metra train station and parking lot and to install a lighting system for the ball fields, jogging path, children's park, library and park district.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange.

• $320,000 to the Village of Tinley Park to replace a culvert with a bridge in the Brementowne area. The village is contributing $80,000.

• $250,000 to Bloom Township High School to resurface and repair the track in its field house. The school is contributing $350,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, D-Flossmoor.

• $200,000 to the Village of Palos Park to purchase a communications system, a security system and to landscape its new administrative/police center.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $150,000 to Hickory Hills for the reconstruction of 78th Avenue. The city is contributing $50,000.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $150,000 to the Green Hills Public Library, Palos Hills to make American with Disabilities Act improvements and to purchase an anti-theft detection system.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $150,000 to the Victory Christian Assembly Church, Markham to support its after school tutoring program.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William "Bill" Shaw, D-Dolton.

• $133,000 to Country Club Hills Park District to renovate the Civic Center facility for use as a full time youth center.
  This project was initiated by Shaw.

• $120,000 to Village of Orland Park for its sewer rehabilitation project.

• $90,000 to the City of Country Club Hills to purchase an ambulance.

• $50,000 to the Village of Frankfort to install a signal on Route 45 at a new intersection.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $45,000 to the Stickney Forest View Public Library District to upgrade its Circulation Computer System and to make renovations.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $25,000 to the Homewood Historical Society to make renovations at the Dorban Howe House.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William F. Mahar, R-Orland Park.

• $22,000 to the Christ Temple Baptist Church, Markham to purchase an outdoor play structure.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harold Murphy, D-Markham.

• $20,000 to the Harvey Little League to update electrical services and to purchase and install lights for a ball field.
  This project was initiated by Murphy.

• $10,000 to the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force to purchase equipment and to make security upgrades.

• $10,000 to the Chicago Heights Police Department to purchase supplies for its Drug Resistance Education (DARE) program.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $10,000 to the Steger School district 194 to purchase computers and equipment.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $10,000 to the Center for Independence, Western Springs to purchase a movable wall unit for its new facility. The center is contributing $32,728.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs.

• $7,000 to the Will County Regional Superintendent of Schools to purchase and distribute copies of the "Wild Outdoor World" periodical to all 4th grade students in New Lenox and Frankfort Townships.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $6,000 to the Village of Ford Heights to purchase medical equipment and supplies for a new ambulance.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

• $5,000 to the Blue Island Police Department to purchase supplies for its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James D. Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park.

• $5,000 to the Oak Lawn Police Department to purchase supplies for its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $5,000 to the Palos Heights Public Library for a landscaping project.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the Worth Park District Historical Museum to purchase and install six informational placques, to print 725 historical books and to complete duct and ceiling work.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago to make improvements to its facility in Chicago Heights.
  This project was initiated by Halvorson.

• $5,000 to L.B.D. Enterprises, Inc., to support its community programs.
  This project was initiated by Murphy.

• $5,000 to the Forest Ridge School District 142 to purchase technology equipment.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $1,000 to the Village of Park Forest Youth Commission to support its children's programs and youth activities.
  This project was initiated by Scully.