$2.7 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2,752,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs, including $632,000 to the Village of Buffalo Grove to install a traffic signal on Weiland Road at the Aptakisic Junior High School exit and to install 2,400 feet of chain link fence at the school.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Sidney H. Mathias, R-Buffalo Grove.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $400,000 to the Village of Arlington Heights to purchase property in the village's central business district for the development of an urban plaza/park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, R-Palatine.

• $310,000 to the Village of Arlington Heights to purchase property in the village's central business district for the development of an urban plaza/park.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Carolyn H. Krause, R-Mt. Prospect.

• $175,000 to the City of Park Ridge to hire a consulting firm to develop a master plan for the redevelopment of its central business district.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, R-Des Plaines.

• $125,000 to the Glenview Park District to develop and construct a three-acre neighborhood park, to be known as Peninsula Park.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Kathleen K. Parker, R-Northbrook.

• $125,000 to the Village of Schaumburg to make median and parkway improvements at the intersections of Wright Boulevard and Rodenburg Road along the Elgin/O'Hare Expressway.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Doris C. Karpiel, R-Carol Stream.

• $120,000 to the Village of Palatine to construct sidewalks along Dundee Road, Northwest Highway, Hicks Road, Baldwin Road, Quentin Road, Cedar Street, and Euclid Avenue. The village is contributing $325,000.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $100,000 to Glenkirk Foundation to remodel a building used for vocational and job readiness training for persons with developmental disabilities. The organization is contributing $98,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, R-Glenview.

• $100,000 to Glenkirk Foundation to remodel a building for vocational and job readiness training for persons with developmental disabilities.
  This project was initiated by Parker.

• $94,000 to the International Center on Deafness and the Arts to purchase the materials and equipment for its "Know and Show" project.
  This project was initiated by Parker.

• $80,000 to the Northbrook Park District to replace the playground structure at Countryside Park.
  This project was implemented by Parker.

• $50,000 to the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Metro Chicago to purchase two new vans.
  This project was initiated by Coulson.

• $50,000 to the City of Des Plaines to construct a cul-de-sac for school bus traffic at Terrace School. The city is contributing $23,500.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dave Sullivan, R-Mt. Prospect.

• $42,000 to the Village of Hoffman Estates to make intersection improvements on Higgins Road at Gannon Drive.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Terry R. Parke, R-Hoffman Estates.

• $40,000 to the Northeast Palatine Resource Network to supplement the Executive Director's salary and for the rental of the childcare room at the Northeast Palatine Community Center. The network is contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $40,000 to Wheeling Township to purchase a 10-seat, lift equipped passenger van.
  This project was initiated by Sullivan.

• $40,000 to Maine Township to purchase a 10-passenger, lift equipped shuttle bus.
  This project was initiated by Mulligan.

• $30,000 to the East Maine School District 63 to purchase computer equipment. The district is contributing $18,500.
  This project was initiated by Mulligan.

• $30,000 to the Village of Hoffman Estates to purchase and install an interactive automated notification system.
  This project was initiated by Karpiel.

• $25,000 to the North Suburban Special Education District to purchase a lift van.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jeffrey M. Schoenberg, D-Evanston.

• $25,000 to Wheeling Township to renovate its community center.
  This project was initiated by Mathias.

• $25,000 to the City of Rolling Meadows to purchase and install an alerting system for the fire stations at Plum Grove and Meadow Drive.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $25,000 to the Pickwick Theatre Council to conduct a study of the physical plant and a marketing analyses and to develop a plan for its future as a live performing arts venue.
  This project was initiated by Sullivan.

• $20,000 to Vision in Progress for Palatine and Inverness to fund the director's salary and various programs.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $12,000 to the HIV Coalition to renovate its office/warehouse facility.
  This project was initiated by Parke.

• $10,000 to the Avenues to Independence Corporation to purchase computer equipment and a printer.
  This project was initiated by Mulligan.

• $10,000 to the Inverness Park District to replace the playground structure at North Park.
  This project was initiated by Bassi.

• $10,000 to Wheeling Township to subsidize its Meals-on-Wheels program.
  This project was initiated by Mathias.

• $7,500 to Family Service of Winnetka/Northfield to update the furniture in the office's group therapy room.
  This project was initiated by Parker.