SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $80,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago's southwest suburbs, including $30,000 to the Fox Valley YMCA to continue construction of a new, enlarged facility to serve an existing pre-school program.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $25,000 to the Montgomery and Countryside Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.

• $25,000 to the Quad County Urban League to establish a Digital Technology Campus. Kane County is contributing $300,000.

These Illinois FIRST projects were initiated by State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego.