$3.7 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Lake County

SPRINGFIELD - - Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $3.7 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Lake County, including $400,000 to the Village of Lake Bluff for improvements to the McClory bicycle and pedestrian trail.

Funds will be used to improve the trail's base and widen and resurface approximately two miles of the trail between East Sheridan Road and the village's northern boundary.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $350,000 to Liberty School District 128 to develop a former Nike missile site to provide athletic facilities for high school students.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills.

• $280,000 to the City of Waukegan to upgrade and repair its police department's annex building, pistol range, and to purchase an ambulance for its fire department. The city will contribute $14,000.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $200,000 to the Village of Deerfield for traffic signal improvements within the village. Corporate donations to the village will contribute $190,000.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $175,000 to the Highland Park Community House to rehab their building and make it ADA compliant.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $150,000 to the Deerfield Park District to design and build a golf practice and training facility.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $150,000 to Lincolnshire Prairie View School District 103 to develop a former Nike missile site for school athletic facilities.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $140,000 to the City of Waukegan to purchase and install 35 video cameras in its police department vehicles.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $100,000 to Vernon Hills to help fund the development of a former Nike missile site and to construct a water well.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William E. Peterson, R-Long Grove.

• $100,00 to Village of Lake Bluff to rehabilitate the Moffett Road Bridge to increase its weight limit.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $100,000 to the Riverside Foundation in Lincolnshire to purchase a parcel of land that will be used for a driveway. The Foundation will contribute $100,000.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $100,000 to Deerfield to purchase a vehicle that will be used by the Bannockburn Fire District's underwater rescue and recovery team. The district will contribute $100,000.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $100,000 to Antioch Community High School District 117 to install a steel catwalk to safely position auditorium lighting and for the removal, renovation and reinstallation of the auditorium seats.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Timothy H. Osmond, R-Antioch.

• $100,000 to the Lake Bluff Park District to make improvements to five parks sites, including drinking fountains, picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts and playground equipment.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $85,000 to the Lake Bluff Park District to remodel and expand its activity center to include a gym, activity rooms, a running track and restrooms.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $84,000 to the City of Zion Police Department to purchase and install laptop computers in patrol vehicles.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Adeline J. Geo-Karis, R-Zion.

• $75,000 to the Village of Buffalo Grove to construct a bike path in the southern portion of the village and make adjacent street lighting improvements.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $75,000 to the City of Lake Forest to purchase two thermal imaging cameras for its fire department, and to purchase special audiovisual equipment for its senior center.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $65,000 to the Riverwoods Fire District in Lincolnshire to purchase a new fully equipped ambulance.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $50,000 to Beach Park School District 3 to purchase computer equipment and accessories for use by grades pre-K through 8.
  This project was initiated by Osmond.

• $50,000 to Waukegan Township to purchase lawn and snow equipment for services to senior residents.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $50,000 to the Lake County Urban League in Waukegan to provide administrative support for programs and services for youth residing in Lake County.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $50,000 to Lake Forest School District 67 to replace dilapidated bleachers at the Deerpath Middle School gymnasium.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $50,000 to the Village of Buffalo Grove to fund erosion control for the banks and bridges along Buffalo Creek.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Karen May, D-Highland Park and former State Rep. Lauren Beth Gash, D-Highland Park.

• $40,000 to the Village of Round Lake Heights to expand its village hall.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Mark H. Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills.

• $35,000 to the Family Service Agency of North Lake County in Waukegan to expand counseling services for underserved areas.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $35,000 to the Lake County Urban League in Waukegan for administrative support to its "Second Chance" job placement program.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $35,000 to the Vernon Hills Park District to make improvements to the Aspen Backyard Park to meet ADA and safety requirements. The district will contribute $15,000.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $30,000 to the Waukegan Fire Department to purchase two thermal imaging cameras.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $30,000 to Round Lake Area B.E.S.T., Inc. to purchase equipment for use by two truancy prevention and enforcement police officers.
  This project was initiated by Beaubien.

• $30,000 to Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Protection District to purchase rescue equipment.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $29,000 to the Village of Wheeling to purchase a thermal imaging camera for its fire department and to replace 7 computers in its senior citizen pavilion.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $25,000 to Teaching Technology for Tomorrow in Lincolnshire to help fund the construction of an applied science technology laboratory.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 to the Apple Tree Theater to support its "Theatre for Young Audiences" program for middle school and junior-high students.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 to Catholic Charities in Waukegan to fund its meals-on-wheels program. The Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging will contribute $392,502 and the United Way will contribute $52,500.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 to The Family Network, Inc. in Highland Park to expand its support services to families and children at its drop-in center.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 to NICASA in Round Lake to launch its "Relatives as Caregivers" program.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $25,000 to the Waukegan YWCA to implement a licensed program from Girls, Inc. called Operation Smart that will encourage middle school girls to master math and science.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 to Glenkirk in Northbrook to remodel a building to be used for vocational training for persons with developmental disabilities.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 the Lake County Family YMCA in Waukegan to purchase and install pool equipment.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $24,400 to the Rivershire Community Property Association in Lincolnshire to fund a project to decrease pond sediment accumulation and erosion which threatens the Des Plaines River.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $20,000 to the Health Reach Clinic in Waukegan to expand its medication assistance program and to improve its pediatric service program for uninsured low-income clients. Waukegan Township will contribute $15,000.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $18,000 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lake County to expand its high school mentoring program to include five new elementary and middle-school partnerships.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $15,000 to Barrington Township to install storm sewers.
  This project was initiated by Peterson.

• $12,000 to Shields Township for additional police patrols in unincorporated areas.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $10,000 to the Lake County Health Department for staff and supplies for an ongoing prevention program.
  This project was initiated by Osmond.

• $10,000 to the Housing Authority of North Chicago to purchase computers and printers for a computer training program for senior residents.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $10,000 to Lake Bluff School District 65 to purchase and install playground equipment at the West School site.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $10,000 to the Independence Center in Waukegan to replace its air conditioning unit.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $10,000 to the Riverside Foundation to purchase property for construction of a new entrance to a residential facility.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $10,000 to the Lake Bluff Park District to construct a skate park in Blair Park. The park district and village will contribute $40,000.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $5,000 to Health Reach, Inc. in Waukegan to teach and train its staff and volunteers to improve their cultural understanding.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $5,000 to Epilepsy Services for Northeastern Illinois in Highland Park to fund a seminar for elementary school personnel to help them recognize and manage epilepsy in students.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $5,000 to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa in Highland Park to rent an office.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $5,000 to The Mother's Trust Foundation in Lake Forest to provide children's clothing and equipment to indigent mothers referred by the Lake County Health Department.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $5,000 to the Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault in Gurnee to serve area residents.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.

• $600 to the Highland Park Library to purchase materials for its historic preservation center. The library will contribute $15,000.
  This project was initiated by May and Gash.