$2.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for the South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2,573,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the South Suburbs, including $750,000 to the Village of Justice to construct a new public works facility.

The existing building is on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency restricted status list. The new building will include all specialty items required by the IEPA to operate an approved public works facility. This will include vehicle lift machinery, hazardous chemical storage, exterior fuel storage, trench drains and oil interceptors. The village is contributing $187,500.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $700,000 to the Village of Willow Springs to make improvements to Archer Avenue.
  This project was initiated by Zickus.

• $200,000 to the Village of New Lenox to design and construct a comprehensive network of bicycle/pedestrian trails within its corporate boundary.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $175,000 to the Community Nurse Health Association to construct and expand the Dental Clinic, the Pediatric/Adolescent Center and the Corner Shoppe consignment store.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange.

• $175,000 to the Community Nurse Health Association to construct and expand the Dental Clinic, the Pediatric/Adolescent Center and the Corner Shoppe consignment store.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs.

• $150,000 to the I&M Canal Civic Center Authority to develop an educational curricula for local grade and high school teachers and students about the historic, scientific, and cultural importance of the Chicago Portage National Historic Site.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $68,000 to the Illinois Wisconsin Sertoma Regional Center for Communicative Disorders, Inc., to purchase a new mobile testing van. The corporation is contributing $47,000.

• $55,000 to the Village of Orland Park to purchase a new disabled persons accessible bus for its recreation and parks department.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $55,000 to Orland Park School District 135 to implement its new intra-generational program.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $50,000 to the Village of Forest Park to purchase self contained breathing apparatus units.

• $39,000 to the Lincoln-Way Community High School for costs associated with a public concert to be given by the high school and the IL Philharmonic Orchestra.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William F. Mahar, R-Orland Park.

• $25,000 to the I&M Civic Center Authority to create a not -for-profit organization to conduct tours, organize clean-ups and other works at the Chicago Portage National Historic Site.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $25,000 to the Village of Orland Hills to furnish its community senior center.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $20,000 to Crete Township to address initiatives of the Homeowners Association of Crete Township.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, D-Flossmoor.

• $20,000 to the Village of Olympia Fields to address initiatives for the Homeowners Association of Olympia Fields. The village is contributing $11,000.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $20,000 to the Orland Park Public Library to upgrade its telecommunications link between its bookmobile and library, to purchase E-books and portable E-book readers, and to purchase internet-based NetLibrary books.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $15,000 to Arbor Park School District 145 to purchase and install two solar powered school crossing warning systems.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $10,000 to the Park Forest Police Department to enhance its educational and informational programs.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $6,500 to the Bethel Community Center to install showers for its Grooming Races In Poverty Places (GRIPP) program.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $5,000 to Metropolitan Family Services to research available housing options for adults with chronic mental illnesses.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to Southwest Community Services to purchase computers to help train individuals with a mental illness or a developmental disability in preparation for future employment.

• $5,000 to the Evangelical Catholic Church Diocese of the Northwest to establish a food pantry and to provide transportation for community members to the Eugene Sawyer Center.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.