SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,471,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the West Suburbs, including $250,000 to the City of Aurora to purchase and install a storm sewer on Garfield Avenue.

This project is just one piece of a larger effort to install and rehab existing sewers in several areas of the city. The expansion will restore capacity and eliminate sewage backups. The city is contributing $150,000.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $230,000 to the Plainfield Township Park District to make renovations at Electric Park, an historic site along the DuPage River.
  This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Ed Petka, R-Plainfield.

• $100,000 to the Copley Memorial Hospital, Inc., Aurora, to purchase cardiac monitoring equipment.

• $82,100 to Aurora Christian Health Services to purchase medical equipment and supplies for the Spruce Street Clinic.

• $81,700 to the Association for Individual Development, Aurora, to purchase equipment and furnishings.

• $75,000 to the Geneva Historical Society to help renovate its new location at 113 S. Third Street. The society is contributing $488,000.

• $75,000 to the Benedictine University for classroom construction in the Kindlon Hall of Learning and the Birck Hall of Science.

• $75,000 to Family Counseling Services of Aurora for phone system revisions, computers and network wiring, implementation of a website and e-mail system and to purchase and install an alarm system.

• $75,000 to the Science and Technology Interactive Center, Aurora, to increase the exhibits and educational program space of the Outdoor Science Park.

• $53,000 to the Village of Montgomery to replace the storm sewer along the east side of Pearl Street.

• $43,100 to Provena Mercy Center to purchase six portable bedside monitors.

• $42,500 to the Woodridge Public Library to develop a technology training center.

• $40,000 to the Aurora Police Department to purchase a vehicle for its Special Response Team.

• $30,000 to the Naperville Heritage Society to make renovations at the Martin Mitchell Mansion.

• $25,000 to Provena Senior Services, a nonprofit organization in Aurora, to help reconstruct and reframe the stained glass windows in the Coolock Court Chapel of the Provena Fox Knoll Retirement Community. The organization is contributing $59,700.

• $25,000 to Wayside Cross Ministries, a nonprofit community-based social service agency that provides programs and services for low-income residents of the Fox Valley Community, to establish an adult learning program for men. The agency is contributing $43,073.

• $25,000 to the Batavia Public Library to install a horizontal cabling system in its new facility. The district is contributing $18,000.

• $25,000 to Cornerstone Services, Joliet, a nonprofit organization that provides developmental training services to persons with disabilities, to make building improvements. The organization is contributing $26,092.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Brent Hassert, R-Romeoville.

• $25,000 to the Provena McAuley Manor to extend its walkway and plant/landscape area.

• $22,000 to Suicide Prevention Services, Inc., Batavia, to purchase computers, office and presentation equipment and training materials.

• $15,600 to the North Aurora Police Department to purchase and install two Illinois Wireless Information Network compatible systems in squad cars.

• $15,000 to Mutual Ground, Inc., Aurora, a nonprofit organization that provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, to pave and widen its driveway and parking lot.

• $14,000 to the Aurora Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera.

• $8,000 to Family Focus, Aurora, to purchase and set-up a new telephone system.

• $6,000 to the African-American Heritage Museum to support its exhibits.

• $5,000 to the Greater DuPage MYM to purchase computers, software, office equipment and a digital camera for the Healthy Families DuPage program.

• $4,000 to Provena Hospitals to create a bilingual English/Spanish directory.

• $3,000 to the Kane Kendall Service Coordinators, Inc., to purchase office equipment for its Child and Family Connection's program.

• $1,500 to the West Aurora School District 129 to purchase educational materials.