$1.4 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago's South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.4 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago and the city's south suburbs, including $500,000 to Calumet City to replace sidewalks along Burham Avenue.

The project will help enhance and beautify the public right-of-way in Calumet City and promote business along Burham Avenue from Sibley Boulevard to Michigan City Road. The City is contributing $2.2 million.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Bill Shaw, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the Village of Midlothian to purchase a water distribution system. The Village is contributing $886,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $150,000 to the Village of Oak Lawn to install traffic signals at 111th Street and Jordan Drive/Laramie Avenue.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park.

• $102,600 to the Village of Indian Head Park to build an addition to the Police Department facility and remodel existing space.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills.

• $92,500 to the Village of Justice to a purchase an ambulance and three police cars. The Village is contributing $125,700.
  This project was initiated by Zickus.

• $80,000 to the Chicago Housing Authority to design and build a playground for children living in the Altgeld Gardens Public Housing Development.
  This project was initiated by Shaw.

• $75,000 to the Dolton Public Library to repair heating equipment.
  This project was initiated by Shaw.

• $75,000 to the Village of Homewood to plant and trim trees for the renovation of its parkways.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

• $52,800 to the Village of Chicago Heights to purchase a vehicle to transport seniors and improve the Senior Center. The village fire department will also use the grant to purchase equipment and upgrade its radio communication system.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George Scully, Jr., D-Flossmoor.

• $30,000 to the Metropolitan Area Council of Black Churches to provide technical assistance to farmers to enhance the distribution and sale of vegetable produce from rural southern states to urban markets across the United States.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harold Murphy, D-Markham.

• $25,000 to the Village of Palos Park to resurface 127th Street between 80th Avenue and McCarthy Road.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $25,000 to the West Central Municipal Conference to improve economic opportunity and the quality of life in west suburban Cook County.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs.

• $20,000 to the Acorn Public Library District to re-carpet the upper level of its library.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Patrick J. O'Malley, R-Palos Park.

• $20,000 to the Frankfort Public Library to expand the number of computer workstations.
  This project was initiated by State. Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $20,000 to the Homer Township Public Library to purchase computers and software.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $10,300 to the Bridgeview Public Library to purchase two computer servers that will improve access to its on-line card catalog system. The library is contributing $22,000.
  This project was initiated by Zickus.

• $5,000 to the Alsip Police Departmentto purchase supplies for its D.A.R.E. program.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $5,000 to the Crestwood Library to purchase a computer, SWAN (system-wide automated network) system and software.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the Midlothian Public Library to create a Local Area Network computer system.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $2,500 to the Village of Ford Heights to purchase computers and mapping software.
  This project was initiated by Halvorson.