Governor Quinn Announces $1.1 Million in Upgrades at Peoria Army Aviation Facility

PEORIA - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $1.1 million to upgrade the Illinois National Guard's Army Aviation Facility in Peoria operated by the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. The upgrades are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"This project will improve access to a facility that is critical both to our domestic emergency response and our national defense," Governor Quinn said. "These upgrades will also employ a number of construction workers, which will help the local economy."

The readiness center houses two Illinois Army National Guard aviation units, the headquarters of the 1-106th Aviation Battalion and B Co., 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion. Approximately 200 Soldiers train at the facility. B Co., 2-238 GSAB is currently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The units at the facility fly both UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and UH-47 Chinook helicopters.

"Our aviation units have responded to several domestic emergencies here in Illinois and throughout the United States and have helped defend our nation overseas," Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, said. "This project will make necessary improvements to the road leading to the aviation facility, so our Soldiers can quickly get to their helicopters."

The work will involve upgrading 7,200 feet of roadway, including resurfacing and drainage improvements. United Contractors Midwest, Inc. of Tremont was the lowest of three bidders at $1,136,983.

"Putting people to work and strengthening the local economy has to be state government's top priority," State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said.

"Not only do investments in our infrastructure help to create jobs in our community, but improvements like this to the National Guard facility help to strengthen the safety and security of our state and nation," State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said. "I will continue to support efforts that help to meet the needs of communities throughout our region."

The project will be managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board and uses federal funds administered by the State of Illinois.