$2.4 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Northwest Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2,472,250 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northwest Illinois, including $2,000,000 to Adkins Energy Cooperative, located in Lena, to construct an ethanol production plant.

The plant will annually produce 35 million gallons of ethanol and 120,000 tons of distiller grains. This project has received strong local support and will strengthen the agricultural economy by assuring the demand for grain, about 13 million bushels of corn annually, and supplementing the domestic production of gasoline

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the City of Dixon to replace the interceptor sewer on the north side of the city. The city is contributing $195,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.

• $100,000 to the City of Savanna to make intersection improvements at routes 64, 84, and 52. The city is contributing $251,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ronald Lawfer, R-Stockton.

• $100,000 to the Village of Elizabeth to construct a 395,000 gallon elevated water storage tank. The village is contributing $223,600.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $100,000 to the City of Morrison to construct a pedestrian bridge over the French Creek and to excavate for a pond.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline.

• $15,000 to the Quad City Railroad Education Association to conduct a feasibility study for creating a railroad museum in the Quad Cities.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $14,000 to the Cordova Township to install a modular playstation in the park located on 3rd Avenue. This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $10,000 to the Chadwick Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

• $10,000 to Augustana College to replace and upgrade equipment for the school's radio station. The college is contributing $105,560.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan.

• $10,000 to the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District to acquire and construct a crossing that will link the trail between Illiniwek Park and Illinois Route 84.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $7,000 to the City of East Moline Police Department to purchase and install data computers in police cars.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $6,250 to the Warren Fire Protection District to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.