$1.3 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for North Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.3 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in North Central Illinois, including $510,000 to the Center for Manufacturing Excellence.

The center is a nonprofit organization that will provide trainees with the means to acquire valuable and marketable skills which industry requires.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Carl E. Hawkinson, R-Galesburg.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $500,000 to Livingston County for the renovation of the Livingston County Courthouse.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac.

• $100,000 to the City of Peoria to replace and widen sidewalks within the business corridor.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ricca C. Slone, D-Peoria Heights.

• $50,000 to the YWCA of Peoria to relocate its current health education program.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. David R. Leitch, R-Peoria.

• $40,000 to the Village of Campus to purchase chemical feed equipment for the village water well.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $35,000 to the Livingston County Sheriff's Department to update and replace equipment, including cameras, radios and software.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $30,000 to the Henry Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $20,000 to the Heart of Illinois Red Cross to purchase a self-contained mobile blood donation unit that will provide increased flexibility for sponsors and donors while providing a comfortable environment in which to donate blood.
  This project was initiated by Slone.

• $20,000 to the Salvation Army to purchase a food service delivery vehicle that will deliver over 100 meals a day to low-income individuals.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. George P. Shadid, D-Edwards.

• $15,000 to the Ashkum Township Fire Protection District to equipment that will upgrade a fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $15,000 to the Octavia Fire Protection District to purchase new air packs that will assist emergency personnel.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $10,000 to the Octavia Park District to construct a concrete headwall and shape an existing open dish into a surface drain in the center of Octavia Park.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.