Ryan: $8.3 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Northern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $8.31 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northern Illinois, including $7.8 million to Northern Illinois University to construct a chilled water plant.

The existing stand-alone chillers installed in each building have become too costly to operate and maintain. The consolidation of chilled water production and piping to individual buildings will decrease overall energy consumption, reduce maintenance costs, improve the reliability of campus air conditioning and meet environmental standards and regulations. The university is contributing $2.2 million.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Bradley Burzynski, R-Sycamore.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $290,000 to the City of DeKalb for the reconstruction of Dresser Road between North First Street and Joanne Lane. The city is contributing $75,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. David A. Wirsing, R-Sycamore.

• $160,000 to the Rockford Park District Foundation to acquire 4.69 acres of land for the expansion of the 17th and 18th holes at the Aldeen Golf Club. The foundation is contributing $215,000. This project was initiated by State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford.

• $30,000 to Poplar Grove Township to purchase a new dump truck. The township is contributing $40,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ronald A. Wait, R-Belvidere.

• $30,000 to the Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County to assist seniors with meals and transportation.
  This project was initiated by Wirsing.

Illinois FIRST funds are not part of the state budget's General Revenue Fund. Recently, lagging tax collections brought on by a slowdown in the national economy and the terrorist attacks of September 11 have forced the governor to order spending cuts in the General Revenue Fund that amount to less than 2 percent of total spending. Illinois FIRST monies are derived from separate accounts in the state budget -- the Road Fund and the Fund for Illinois Future -- as well as through the sale of state bonds.