$1.4 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for DuPage County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.443 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in DuPage County, including $500,000 to the City of Elmhurst to acquire land for construction of a centralized public parking area.

The small separate private parking lots bound by North Avenue on the north, Third Street on the south, Addison Avenue on the west and an alley east of York Road on the east will be combined, interconnected, redesigned, landscaped and opened to the public. The city is contributing $1,750,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels of Elmhurst.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $250,000 to the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new emergency services vehicle. The department is contributing $50,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Vincent A. Persico, R-Glen Ellyn.

• $150,000 to Community Consolidated School District 89 to purchase computers and software.
  This project was initiated by Persico.

• $150,000 to Glen Ellyn District 41 to upgrade the computer labs at Hadley Junior High School.
  This project was initiated by Persico.

• $125,000 to the Village of Lombard to plan and design the restoration of the DuPage Theater.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $90,000 to the Village of Woodridge to replace a water system interconnect valve between the village and the City of Darien. The Village is contributing $10,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale.

• $78,000 to the Village of Willowbrook to construct a sidewalk between Midway Drive and 79th Street.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jim Meyer, R-Bolingbrook.

• $70,000 to the City of Wheaton to construct a pedestrian bridge over the Willoway Brook drainage channel at Butterfield Road. The city is contributing $22,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton.

• $30,000 to DuPage Township to purchase a new multi-passenger, handicap accessible bus. The township, the Joseph Levy Family Foundation and Friends of the Levy Center are contributing $34,000.
  This project was initiated by Meyer.