SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $493,250 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northwestern Illinois, including $90,000 to the Albany Fire Protection District to purchase a new pumper/tanker fire truck. The district is contributing $46,589.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to the Polo Fire Protection District to remodel its fire station. The district is contributing $12,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.

• $50,000 to Green River Special Drainage District, Henry County, to purchase a backhoe.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

• $50,000 to the Walnut Fire Department to purchase fire and safety equipment. The district is contributing $250,000.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $50,000 to the Rock Island Public Library to expand its southwest library branch. The city is contributing $476,400.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline.

• $49,500 to the Village of Carbon Cliff to make repairs to its sewer system.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $25,000 to the Port Byron Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Boland.

• $25,000 to JoDaviess Workshop Inc. to purchase a handicapped accessible van for its Medical Transportation program. The organization is contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ronald Lawfer, R-Stockton.

• $25,000 to the Village of Lyndon to make improvements to its village park.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $10,000 to the Oregon Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $10,000 to the Galena Art & Recreation Center to replace the roof on the building that currently houses youth and adult educational, recreational and social programs. The city is contributing $17,886.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $10,000 to the Menominee-Dunleith Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera. This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $10,000 to the Walnut Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera. The department is contributing $16,000 from local contributions.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $10,000 to the Polo Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $10,000 Hanover Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $10,000 to the Elizabeth Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $5,000 to the Mercer County Animal Control to make improvements and repairs to the Mercer County Pound.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $2,000 to Colona Township to purchase a computer, printer, scanner and software.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $1,750 to the Village of Thomson Police Department to purchase a defibrillator.
  This project was initiated by Boland.