Ryan: $1.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Far Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.5 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the Far Northwest Suburbs, including $750,000 to the City of McHenry to make improvements to Illinois Route 31 and McCullom Lake Road.

Improvements will consist of realigning the Illinois Route 31 and McCullom Lake Road intersection, upgrading and interconnecting the traffic signals, as well providing additional lanes and turn lanes for both roads. Orleans Street will be widened to provide an additional turn lane and sewer, and water main systems will be replaced as necessary.

This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels, Elmhurst.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the City of Harvard to construct a public restroom in Milky Way Park.

• $100,000 to the City of Woodstock to install heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the Opera House's new addition.

• $100,000 to the Streamwood Police Department to purchase 55 laptop computers and seven network cards.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Douglas L. Hoeft, R-Elgin.

• $50,000 to the Johnsburg Boys Baseball League to expand the league's main baseball-softball field complex.

• $50,000 to the Village of Oakwood Hills to make road improvements on Burnwood Road, Hilltop Road and Oakwood Drive.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake.

• $42,000 to the Elgin Well Child Conference and Health Referral Service to complete renovations to its Well Child Center. The organization is contributing $611,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Steven J. Rauschenberger, R-Elgin.

• $40,000 to the McHenry Area Youth Commission to support its prevention education programs.

• $31,000 to the Village of Wonder Lake to construct fitness stations in Jacobsen Park and to make other improvements.

• $30,000 to the Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District to purchase fire and safety equipment.

• $30,000 to the Village of Hebron to construct a permanent restroom facility at its community park. The village is contributing $23,395.

• $25,000 to McHenry Township Fire Protection District to purchase five defibrillators. The district is contributing $35,000.

• $25,000 to Lakemoor Village to purchase a new police car and associated equipment.

• $20,000 to the Village of Oakwood Hills to purchase a new police car.

• $15,000 to the Golden Diners Nutrition Program to purchase a new copier.

• $13,000 to the Pioneer Center, McHenry to clean air ducts and repair the parking lot lights at its Dayton Street facility, construct a tornado shelter at its Marengo Group Home and for asbestos removal at its Harvard Group Home.

• $10,000 to the Family Health Care Partnership Clinic to purchase a computer, copier, postage meter, medical supplies and pharmacy shelving.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $10,000 to FISH of McHenry, Inc., a food pantry and outreach center, to purchase soaps, toiletries, paper products, prescriptions, shoes, clothing and perishable foods.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $10,000 to the Spring Grove Fire Protection District to purchase rescue equipment.

• $10,000 to the American Youth Soccer Organization Region 726 to purchase a lightening detection system, a bull horn/public address warning system, an emergency field vehicle and soccer goals and nets.

• $10,000 to the Village of McCullom Lake to purchase playground equipment, timbers, mulch and cement.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association to purchase equipment and supplies for its Major Investigation Assistance Team.

• $10,000 to the Metropolitan Family Services to hire staff and speakers and to purchase supplies, meals and room and board for its youth and family camps.

• $5,000 to Options and Advocacy for McHenry County, Inc., to purchase computers and software and to install network wiring. The McHenry County Mental Health Board is contributing $30,780.

• $5,000 to the Crystal Lake Park District to assist five athletic programs; Crystal Lake American Little League, Crystal Lake National Little League, Crystal Lake Girls Softball League, Crystal Lake Babe Ruth League and Crystal Lake Continental Little League.