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SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.22 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Central Illinois, including $1 million to Lincoln College, a private, not-for-profit, coeducational, residential junior college in Lincoln, to construct a facility to be called the "Lincoln Center".
The facility will house an athletic and convocation center and a greatly expanded Lincoln College Museum and will offer increased opportunities for regional and sectional tournaments and competitions and will quadruple the available museum display space. A donation of $4,850,000 is being contributed from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:
$150,000 to Farmer City to construct a new storm sewer.
This project was initiated by State Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone, R-Morton.
$50,000 to the Rochester Unit School District 3A for tennis court lighting and a press box and bleachers for the soccer fields at the Rochester Sports Complex. $50,000 is being contributed from the Rochester Youth Athletic Association and Rochester Athletic Booster Club.
This project was initiated by State Sen. Larry K. Bomke, R-Springfield.
$20,000 to Cazenovia Township to purchase a road maintenance vehicle. The township is contributing $25,000.
This project was initiated by Stone.
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.
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