$2.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Lake County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2.2 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Lake County, including $500,000 to the Foss Park District to design and plan a sports and recreational facility.

The present athletic facilities will not support current and proposed programs. The new facility will be shared with local schools and will benefit 40,000 people.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $400,000 to the City of Waukegan for planning and development to revitalize the downtown area.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $275,000 to the Vernon Hills Park District to make improvements to Deerpath Park and Deerpath Center.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $150,000 to Lake Forest School District 67 to renovate two gyms into one community recreational center at Deerpath Middle School.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

• $100,000 to the Village of Green Oaks to construct a right hand turn lane from Reigate Woods to Route 137.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $100,000 to the Village of Wheeling for capital improvements associated with the Wheeling Plaza project. The village is contributing $1 million.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $95,000 to the Village of Island Lake to install a water main. The village is contributing $61,652.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Mark H. Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills.

• $75,000 to the North Suburban Special Education District to purchase equipment for its young adult transition program.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $50,000 to the Lake County Family YMCA to renovate Central School in Libertyville and to purchase a van.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Adeline J. Geo-Karis, R-Zion.

• $50,000 to the Zion Park District to landscape the clubhouse at Shepherd's Crook Golf Course and to light and pave the parking lot. The district is contributing $20,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Timothy H. Osmond, R-Antioch.

• $50,000 to the Lake Forest Symphony to conduct a marketing and audience development study.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $50,000 to the Village of Round Lake to complete repairs to a bridge deck and a footbridge over the Squaw Creek.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William Peterson, R-Long Grove.

• $50,000 to Warren Township to make improvements to its township center recreation site. The township is contributing $13,700.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Andrea Moore, R-Libertyville.

• $25,000 to Health Reach Inc., to support its Diabetes Care program and its Medication Pantry facility.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Karen May, D-Highland Park.

• $25,000 to Lambs Farm, Inc., to redesign it's farmyard.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $25,000 to the Village of Arlington Heights to construct a water supply connection to the Tiburon subdivision.
  This project was initiated by Mathias.

• $20,000 to the Zion Historical Society to wash and paint the Shiloh House.
  This project was initiated by Geo-Karis.

• $20,000 to PST, Inc., to construct a new storm sewer system. The Old Kent Bank is contributing $780,708.
  This project is initiated by Garrett.

• $10,000 to the Lake County Family YMCA to implement an after-school enrichment program.
  This project was initiated by Osmond.

• $10,000 to the Special Education District of Lake County to purchase computers and communication equipment for Laremont School.
  This project was initiated by Osmond.

• $10,000 to the Illinois Association of VICA for Skills USA to purchase supplies and materials for its seminars.
  This project was initiated by May.

• $5,000 to the North Suburban Special Education District to implement a young adult transition program.
  This project was initiated by May.

• $5,000 to the Lake Forest Hospital to purchase supplies and materials for its CareCoach program.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels, Elmhurst.