$1.95 Million In Illinois FIRST Projects For North Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.95 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects North Central Illinois, including $1.2 million to the Village of Peoria Heights to complete the widening of Glen Avenue east of Knoxville to the railroad tracks.

Traffic on the two-lane road has increased due to construction of a new grade school. The widening of the road will alleviate the safety hazard. The village will contribute $700,000. This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. George P. Shadid, D-Edwards.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $300,000 to Bradley University to wire university-owned apartments to provide the residents with access to the campus community's computer network system.
  This project was initiated by Shadid.

• $50,000 to the City of Chillicothe to purchase a fire rescue boat for its fire department.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. David R. Leitch, R-Peoria.

• $50,000 to the City of Chillicothe to construct sidewalks on the west side of Cloverdell Road. The city will contribute $50,000.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $50,000 to the Peoria Historical Society to fund a museum interpretive study and an exhibit design study for a regional museum dedicated to the preservation and presentation of Central Illinois River Valley history.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $40,000 to the East Peoria Police Department to purchase laptop computers, docking stations and mounting hardware for use in its squad cars.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ricca C. Slone, D-Peoria Heights.

• $30,000 to the Rural Peoria County Council of Aging, Inc. in Bellvue to expand its kitchen, which is used to prepare home delivered meals and coordinate the distribution of congregate meals throughout the county.
  This project was initiated by Shadid.

• $30,000 each to the Chatsworth Fire Protection District, the Dwight Fire Protection District and the Lexington Community Fire Protection District to purchase fire protection and emergency equipment.
  These projects were initiated by State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac.

• $30,000 to the City of Chenoa to purchase two emergency sirens for the Emergency Services Disaster Agency.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $25,000 to the Marshall County Sheriff's Department to purchase mobile data terminals, video equipment, portable radios and portable radar units.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $25,000 to Counseling and Family Services, Inc. in Peoria to pay the salaries of a program supervisor, family resource worker and secretary for the child care program for children attending Loucks Middle School. The organization will contribute $40,000.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $20,000 to the Village of Ohio to purchase a new truck to be used to plow snow and for general road maintenance. The village will contribute $42,607.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $20,000 to the Peoria Public Library to partially fund a book mobile that will offer literacy information, books, internet access and resume assistance. The library will contribute $133,192.
  This project was initiated by Slone.

• $10,000 to the Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department to renovate its existing fire department building to comply with state mandates.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $10,000 to Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe to pay for educational activities while its band members are in Hawaii participating in the Hawaiian Hui Ana of Bands.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.