Press Releases
Ryan: $450,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southwestern Illinois
SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $450,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southwestern Illinois, including $250,000 to the East St. Louis Fire Department to purchase a new fire truck.
This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr., D-Belleville.
Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:
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.
Press Releases