$653,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Far Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $653,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the Far Northwest Suburbs, including $103,000 to the Fox River Valley Center for Independent Living to establish a satellite office in Aurora.

The organization serves people with disabilities who reside in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties. The new office will provide more efficient service to the southern area of Kane County and also to those who have not been able to make the trip to the main office in Elgin.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Patricia Reid Lindner, R-Aurora.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to Nunda Township to resurface streets in the Pine Paradise North Subdivision and the Burton's Bridge Subdivision.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake.

• $50,000 to the Challenger Learning Center in Woodstock to purchase a flight simulator.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $30,500 to the Fox River Water Reclamation District to install a third stage filter to the discharge of an existing wastewater treatment plant. This project was initiated by State Sen. Doris C. Karpiel, R-Carol Stream.

• $30,000 to the City of Woodstock to install signs on the north and south faces of the Route 47 viaduct at the Union Pacific Railroad.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $30,000 to the Elgin Police Department to implement a public safety video project.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Steven J. Rauschenberger, R-Elgin.

• $26,000 to the Pioneer Center of McHenry County to purchase a new van.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $25,000 to Alden Township for the site preparation work for the construction of a new township office. The township is contributing $405,000.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels of Elmhurst.

• $25,000 to McHenry School District 156 to install security cameras and entry door proximity card readers in both high schools and to install video camera monitors in its central administration office.

• $20,000 to the Village of Richmond to make waste water treatment improvements.

• $15,000 to the Streamwood Professional Firefighters Association to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $15,000 to the Rural Woodstock Public Library District to purchase software that filters material from the internet that may not be appropriate for all users.

• $10,000 each to the following municipalities:

  Village of Holiday Hills to make repairs at the village hall, garage and storage shed.

  Village of Ringwood to renovate a structure that will serve as the new village hall. The village is contributing $40,608.

  Village of Greenwood to purchase office equipment, desks, chairs, village signs and insurance.

  Hartland Township to purchase a computer, office equipment and supplies.

  Alden Township to purchase three computers, office equipment and supplies.

  Dunham Township to design and construct a new township office and to purchase and install an air conditioner and heating system and office supplies and equipment.

• $10,000 to Senior Services Associates, Inc., to purchase computers, printers and accessories.

• $10,000 to each of the following fire protection districts to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  Harvard
  Nunda
  Richmond

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Youth Orchestra to help fund a European tour and to purchase a sign, studio doors, file cabinets, music, a computer back-up system and to implement a new website.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Veteran's Assistance Commission to purchase a new van.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Housing Authority to provide emergency shelter to homeless individuals and families.

• $10,000 to Big Brother/Big Sister of Mchenry County, Inc., to support its youth mentoring program.

• $10,000 to the Pioneer Center of McHenry County to resurface the cement flooring in its production work area, loading dock and travel ways.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Youth Service Bureau to rehabilitate its parking lot.

• $5,000 to Fox River Valley Gardens to refurbish the inside of its village hall.

• $5,000 to Turning Point, Inc., to repair and replace the roof of its facility. The corporation is contributing $65,420.

• $5,000 to the McHenry County 4-H Youth Foundation to establish a scholarship program for 4-H members of McHenry County.

• $5,000 to Home of the Sparrow, Inc., to purchase a washer and dryer, vinyl flooring and carpeting for its Ringwood Shelter and Ascent Center facility.

• $5,000 to the Special Education District of McHenry County to purchase assistive technology to meet the needs of the visually impaired, blind and low vision students.

• $5,000 to the Harvard Cemetery Association to repair the historic stone chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

• $5,000 to the Northwest Area Arts Council to hire an instructor and to purchase painting supplies for a mural to promote the antiviolence theme.

• $5,000 to the Chester Gould Dick Tracy Museum to implement the Crimestoppers Youth Program.

• $5,000 to McHenry County College to implement an anti-discrimination program.

• $5,000 to McHenry County P.A.D.S., Inc., to support its program operations.

• $2,500 to FISH of McHenry, Inc., to purchase soaps, toiletries, paper products, prescriptions, shoes, clothing and perishable foods.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $2,500 to the McHenry County Historical Museum to print McHenry County Landmarks & Heritage Guide maps.