$235,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Western Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $235,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Western Illinois, including $75,000 to the Women's Crisis Center in Jacksonville for electrical work and to purchase an automatic fire suppression system at its new facility.

The center provides shelter for women and their families who have been displaced due to domestic violence. Its current facility is slated for demolition and a new facility is being constructed on land they are leasing from the Jacksonville Development Center.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Richard P. Myers, R-Colchester.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $30,000 to the Senior Center in Browning to construct a new senior center.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Laura Kent Donahue, R-Quincy.

• $25,000 to the New Canton Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Art Tenhouse, R-Liberty.

• $25,000 to the Tioga Fire Protection District to purchase a new four-wheel drive pickup truck with a sliding unit. The district is contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by Tenhouse.

• $25,000 to the Camp Point Fire Protection District to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Tenhouse.

• $25,000 to the Clayton Fire Protection District to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Tenhouse.

• $10,000 to Great River Recovery Resources to purchase 16 platform beds, mattresses, pillows, and sets of bed linens.
  This project was initiated by Tenhouse.

• $10,000 to Quincy University to purchase a digital storage system for its WQUB-FM radio station.
  This project was initiated by Tenhouse.

• $10,000 to the American Red Cross, Heart of America Region to purchase a "blood mobile."
  This project was initiated by Donahue.