$5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago's South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $5 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago's south suburbs, including $1,000,000 to the village of Evergreen Park to acquire and renovate the village's municipal golf course and facilities.

The village will be able to expand and enhance its ability to offer diverse recreational opportunities to around 75,000 residents and visitors of the area each year. The village is contributing $11,000,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Patrick J. O'Malley, R-Palos Park.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $1,000,000 to the Bethshan Association to purchase houses, vehicles, furnishings, and equipment to provide housing to ten individuals in need.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels, Elmhurst.

• $300,000 to the Crisis Center for South Suburbia to construct an addition to its facility. The agency is contributing $64,745.
  The project was initiated by State Sen. William F. Mahar, R-Orland Park.

• $300,000 to the Frankfort Park District to renovate the Susan Puent Building.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $243,400 to the City of Palos Hills to complete Phase III of a new community/senior center park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills.

• $243,400 to the City of Palos Hills to complete Phase III of a new community/senior center park.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LeGrange.

• $206,000 to the City of Palos Hills to purchase equipment for the Department of Public Works.
  This Project was initiated by Zickus.

• $200,000 to the Harvey Community Center to construct a community center and to purchase office and institutional equipment for its senior citizens and youth programs.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William "Bill" Shaw, D-Chicago.

• $200,000 to Chicago Ridge to repair streets.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James D. Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park.

• $200,000 to Chicago Ridge to purchase a new aerial tower ladder fire truck.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $120,800 to the Southwest Central Dispatch to install and complete an automatic vehicle location system.
  This project was initiated O'Malley.

• $115,000 to the City of Chicago Heights to purchase and renovate two vehicles for the domestic violence unit detectives.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, Jr., D-Flossmoor.

• $100,000 to the City of Blue Island to repave village streets and to conduct an engineering study.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $50,000 to the Village of Matteson Fire Department to purchase and install rescue extrication equipment, mobile data terminals for fire trucks, and update traffic signal preemption equipment.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $50,000 to the Brookfield Community Support Services to purchase office furniture.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $50,000 to the Village of Oak Lawn for an architectural/engineering study on the expansion of the municipal building.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $50,000 to each of the following Chicago public schools to purchase computers:
  Alex Haley School
  Brown School
  Owens School
  These projects were initiated by Shaw.

• $50,000 to the Core Association Inc. for BLUE CAP to construct a group home.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $50,000 to Misericordia Heart of Mercy to renovate a building. The organization will be contributing $298,293.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $40,000 to the Village of Steger to construct an addition the the library. The Village is contributing $362,911.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $40,000 to the Crisis Center for South Suburbia to construct an addition to the facility. The agency is contributing $64,745.
  The project was initiated by Kosel.

• $30,000 to the Worth Park District to renovate Peeks Park.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $30,000 to the Village of Steger to purchase a lawn mower, treadmill, and an exercise bike for the Community Center.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

• $25,300 to Chicago Ridge to renovate the old village hall, which will serve as headquarters for the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $25,250 to Chicago Ridge to renovate the old village hall which will serve as headquarters for the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Froce.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $25,000 to the Village of Willow Springs to purchase breathing air packs for its fire department. This project was initiated by Zickus.

• $25,000 to the Village of Glenwood to improve streets within the village.
  This project was initiated by Halvorson.

• $25,000 to Crete Park District to purchase new playground equipment.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $20,000 to Park Lawn Association to repair, redesign, and expand the current facility.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $10,000 to the Oak Forest Park District to purchase a treadmill, miscellaneous hand tools and three banners.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $10,000 to the Trailways Girl Scout Council, Inc., to construct a new facility and training rooms.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $10,000 to the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry to purchase computers and software.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs.

• $10,000 to the City of Blue Island to gather information, monitor and identify the impact of the blocked railroad crossings in the city.
  This project was initiated by O'Malley.

• $10,000 to the Village of Bridgeview to purchase a four-wheel drive pick-up truck to be used to fight prairie fires.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.