$3.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $3,521,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Central Illinois, including $2,000,000 to Lewis and Clark Community College.

These funds will be used for the construction of a facility to house the school's dental hygiene program.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Tom Ryder, R-Jerseyville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the Virden Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck. The district is contributing $25,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Vince Demuzio, D-Carlinville.

• $200,000 to the Village of Pleasant Plains to begin the installation of a new wastewater collection and treatment system.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.

• $200,000 to the Greene County Board to fund the restoration of the roof and gutters at the county courthouse.
  This project was initiated by Ryder.

• $100,000 to the Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District to purchase a new rescue truck. The district is contributing $180,000.
  This project was initiated by Demuzio.

• $100,000 to Northwestern Area Ambulance and Rescue, Inc. to update its ambulance fleet and medical equipment.
  This project was initiated by Demuzio.

• $100,000 to the Roodhouse Fire Protection District to purchase new fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Demuzio.

• $82,000 to Divernon to purchase a new police vehicle and three defibrillators. The grant will also help to fund the replacement of an existing water line.
  This project was initiated by Bomke.

• $75,000 to West Central Illinois Educational Telecommunications to fund the "Ready to Learn, First Book" and "Ready to Read" literacy programs on WSEC-TV. These programs use television, activities and books to help children achieve greater literacy.
  This project was initiated by Demuzio.

• $75,000 to the Village of Ashland to fund the completion of a new firehouse on the corner of Yates and Mechanic Streets. The village is contributing $225,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.

• $70,000 to the Benson Community Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck. The district is contributing $105,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Keith P. Sommer, R-Mackinaw.

• $70,000 to the Roanoke Fire Protection Districtto purchase a new fire truck. The district is contributing $25,000
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Robert Madigan, R-Lincoln.

• $60,000 to the Latham Fire Protection District to purchase new communications equipment, as well as fire and emergency equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. John W. Turner, R-Atlanta.

• $50,000 to Farmer City to purchase a new ambulance. The ambulance service is contributing $40,000.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $30,000 to New Berlin Emergency Services to purchase mobile radio communication equipment, emergency lights and medical supplies.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Gwenn Klingler, R-Springfield.

• $20,000 to the Springfield YMCA to repair and improve the safety of 12 soccer fields located on the University of Illinois at Springfield campus.
  This project was initiated by Klingler.

• $20,000 to Green Township to purchase a new truck to be used for road maintenance and snow plowing. The township is contributing $36,359.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $18,500 to the Eureka-Goodfield Fire Protection District to purchase two thermal imaging cameras. This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $17,500 to the Dr. John Warner Hospital in Clinton to purchase five portable defibrillators and computer printers for use by the Clinton ambulance service.
  This project was initiated by Madigan.

• $15,000 to the Illinois School for the Deaf to purchase equipment, including a computer system, for their museum.
  This project was initiated by Ryder.