Ryan: $437,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Kankakee and Illinois River Valleys

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $437,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the Kankakee and Illinois river valleys, including $152,000 to the Village of Braidwood to resurface the parking lanes on Illinois Route 113 from Illinois 129 to Center Street.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Mary K. O'Brien, D-Coal City.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $60,000 to United Cerebral Palsy of Will County to eliminate the mortgage on one property and to reduce the mortgage balance on another property, which was purchased for adults with disabilities.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood.

• $60,000 to the City of Kankakee to purchase two leaf collection machines. The city is contributing $74,178.
  This project was initiated by Walsh.

• $50,000 to Kishwaukee College to provide economic and community development assistance to the County of LaSalle and the communities of Streator, Ottawa, Seneca, Marseilles, Mendota, Oglesby, LaSalle and DePue.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Patrick D. Welch, D-Peru.

• $25,000 to the Canal Corridor Association to create a signed driving route along the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor to encourage tourists to travel through some of Illinois' most historic communities. The organization is contributing $17,024.
  This project was initiated by Walsh.

• $25,000 to the Custer Township Highway Department to build a foundation for a new pavement.
  This project was initiated by O'Brien.

• $15,000 to the Village of North Utica to prepare a comprehensive land use plan.
  This project was initiated by Welch.

• $10,000 to Nexus, Inc., to support the Youth Without Resources program of Indian Oaks Academy.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Philip Novak, D-Bradley.

• $7,500 to Kankakee County for gasoline and vehicle maintenance for its rural transit service, Show Bus, for a two-year period. The county is contributing $80,000.
  This project was initiated by Novak.

• $7,500 to Kankakee County for gasoline and vehicle maintenance for its rural transit service, Show Bus, for a two-year period. The county is contributing $80,000.
  This project was initiated by Walsh.