SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $490,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the West Suburbs, including $250,000 to the Lockport School District 91 to replace the roof on the gymnasium and pod sections at Kelvin Grove School.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Brent Hassert, R-Romeoville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the City of Aurora to install a storm sewer on Valley Avenue.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Ed Petka, R-Plainfield.

• $25,000 to Our Children's Homestead to develop a mentoring program targeting at risk teens in DuPage, Kendall and Kane counties. The Naperville Exchange Club and the Superior Bank are each contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by Hassert.

• $15,000 to the Geneva School District 304 to purchase a sound system for the Geneva High School auditorium.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Timothy L. Schmitz, R-Batavia.