SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2.7 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in North Central Illinois, including $1.4 million to McLean County to resurface and reconstruct Towanda - Barnes Road.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. John W. Maitland Jr., R-Bloomington.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $500,000 to the Methodist Medical Center Foundation to purchase and improve lab equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. David R. Leitch, R-Peoria.

• $166,000 to the Stark County Board to construct an addition to the existing county jail. The community is contributing $42,500.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $100,000 to the Village of Wyanet to construct a new water tower.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carl E. Hawkinson, R-Galesburg.

• $100,000 to the Towanda Fire Protection District to purchase a new tanker and a new brush-rescue truck. The district is contributing $250,000.
  This project was initiated by Maitland.

• $92,200 to the Neponset Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck and equipment.
  This project was initiated by Hawkinson.

• $50,000 to the City of Streator to demolish and dispose of partially collapsed buildings.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac.

• $40,000 to the Village of Sheffield to purchase a new dump truck equipped with a snow plow.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $40,000 to the Tazwell County Sheriff's Department to purchase a new thermal camera and computers.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. George P. Shadid, D-Edwards.

• $35,000 to the Peoria Neighborhood Development Company to build new retaining walls along Bigelow Street.
  This project was initiated State Rep. Ricca C. Slone, D-Peoria Heights.

• $30,000 to the East Peoria Police Department to purchase computers and docking stations.
  This project was initiated by Shadid.

• $25,000 to the Jubilee Township Road District to reconstruct a portion of Thousand Dollar Road.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $20,000 to the American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Service to purchase a new "blood mobile."
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Donald L. Moffitt, R-Gilson.

• $20,000 to the American Red Cross to purchase a new "blood mobile."
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Michael K. Smith, D-Canton.

• $20,000 to the City of Pontiac to purchase equipment for a portion of its recreation center.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $19,600 to the East Peoria Fire Department to purchase 8 breathing apparatus units.
  This project was initiated by Shadid.

• $16,000 to the Peoria Heights Fire Department to purchase extrication equipment, an air pack, and a thermal imaging camera. The community is contributing $17,000.
  This project was initiated by Shadid.

• $15,000 to the City of Wenona to demolish three existing buildings. The community will be contributing $66,378.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $15,000 to the Roberts Melvin Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $10,000 to the Pleasant Valley School District to construct a sidewalk along the south side of Richwoods Boulevard.
  The project was initiated by Shadid.