$530,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for the South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $530,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the south suburbs, including $250,000 to the Olympia Fields Park District to construct the Iron Oaks Environmental Learning Center.

The facility will be jointly operated by the Olympia Fields and Homewood-Flossmoor park districts. It will house office and classroom space and will provide a safe shelter should dangerous weather interrupt outdoor programming.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Western Springs Park District to construct and equip an expansion at Clark Park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs.

• $100,000 to the Village of Dolton to purchase and install air cleaning equipment in all of its municipal buildings.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Bill Shaw, D-Dolton.

• $50,000 to the Mokena Police Department to purchase law enforcement-related equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $10,000 to the Oak Lawn Park District to repair a walking/bike path and install fencing at the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James D. Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park.

• $5,000 to each of the following school districts to make technology upgrades:
  Alsip-Hazelgreen #126
  Chicago Ridge #127 1/2
  Midlothian #142
  Worth #127
  These projects were initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.