Ryan: $225,500 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $225,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois, including $115,000 to the Village of Dowell to replace a bridge on West Road in the southwest corner of the village.

The current bridge cannot be used by school busses, trucks, farm implements or emergency vehicles due to its deteriorated condition. The new bridge will provide a safe public roadway that can be used by all types of vehicular traffic. This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to Saline County to make renovations to its courthouse.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jim Fowler, D-Harrisburg.

• $15,000 to Lenzburg Township to purchase a new mower.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville.

• $10,000 to Union County Counseling Services to replace the roof on its Drop-in Center building in Anna.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville.

• $7,500 to Original Kaskaskia Area Wilderness, Inc., Okawville, to support personnel and administrative fees.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $6,000 to the Village of New Minden to purchase a new tractor and to assist the New Minden Community Club with park improvements.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $5,000 to the Village of East Cape to purchase play equipment for Community Park.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $5,000 to Harrisburg Community Unit School District 3 to make repairs to its athletic field.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Saline County to help support its operating expenses.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $3,000 to the Concord Cemetery Association for repairs and maintenance to the Chapman Cemetery in Perry County.
  This project was initiated by Luechtefeld.

• $2,000 to the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council to purchase shelving, a utility cart, kitchen mixer, cordless telephone, cell phone and office/computer chairs for the Chester Senior Center.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $2,000 to the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council to purchase room dividers, tables, a cell phone and a television for the Steeleville Senior Center.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

Illinois FIRST funds are not part of the state budget's General Revenue Fund. Recently, lagging tax collections brought on by a slowdown in the national economy and the terrorist attacks of September 11 have forced the governor to order spending cuts in the General Revenue Fund that amount to less than 2 percent of total spending. Illinois FIRST monies are derived from separate accounts in the state budget -- the Road Fund and the Fund for Illinois Future -- as well as through the sale of state bonds.