$901,500 in Illinois FIRST Projects for DuPage County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $901,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in DuPage County, including $400,000 to the Village of Bolingbrook to widen Boughton Road from Falconridge Way to Ashbury Avenue. One lane will be added to an existing four lane highway, eliminating backups and dangerous left turns. The village is contributing $272,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Jim Meyer, R-Bolingbrook.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District to enlarge stream channels within the county to accommodate increased flows.
  This project was initiated by Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale.

• $150,000 to Glen Ellyn School District 41 to upgrade the computer labs and to provide technology equipment for its instructional program at Hadley Junior High School.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Vincent A. Persico, R-Glen Ellyn.

• $100,000 to the Village of Woodridge to design and construct a bike path along Woodridge Drive and 83rd Street. The village and the park district are contributing $218,359.
  This project was initiated by Meyer.

• $51,500 to Giant Steps, a nonprofit organization that provides educational and therapeutic services specifically designed for children with autism and related developmental disabilities, to purchase a building to house its program and administrative offices.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James B. Durkin, R-Westchester.