$2.1 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for North Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2,194,800 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in North Central Illinois, including $1.2 million to the Village of Peoria Heights to complete the widening of Glen Avenue from Knoxville east to the railroad tracks.

Traffic has increased on this two-lane road due to the construction of a new grade school and a public library. The increased traffic is overloading the road's capacity and creating a safety hazard. The village is contributing $700,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. George P. Shadid, D-Edwards.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $315,000 to the Village of Strawn to design and construct a new water tower and to demolish the existing tower.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac.

• $234,000 to the Village of Henry to extend its water and sewer service to the proposed site of the retail outlet Pamida.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. John W. Maitland, Jr., R-Bloomington.

• $94,000 to the City of Princeton to upgrade its existing water treatment plant. The city is contributing $914,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. David R. Leitch, R-Peoria.

• $75,000 to the YWCA, Peoria to make improvements to its Family Child Care Center so that it will be in compliance with the Department of Children and Family Services licensing standards.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ricca C. Slone, D-Peoria Heights and Shadid.

• $71,800 to the Western Illinois Firefighters Association to purchase ten thermal imaging camera accessory/upgrade packages.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Carl E. Hawkinson, R-Galesburg.

• $50,000 to the Ford County Highway Department to purchase a new truck for highway maintenance. The department is contributing $43,000.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $40,000 to the Akron/Princeville Fire Protection District to purchase a new rescue truck. The district is contributing $267,922.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $30,000 to the Altona Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck. The district is contributing $159,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Donald L. Moffitt, R-Gilson.

• $20,000 to the Wyoming Ambulance Service, Inc. to purchase a new ambulance.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $20,000 to the Ohio Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck. The village is contributing $20,000.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $20,000 to the Ohio Township Highway District to purchase a new truck for road maintenance.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.

• $15,000 to the Ford County Sheriff Department to purchase a new portable radio system for the jail and new firearms.
  This project was initiated by Rutherford.

• $5,000 to Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development, Inc. to map the area's rural water systems.
  This project was initiated by Slone.

• $5,000 to the Jewish Federation of Peoria, Inc. to make office improvements.
  This project was initiated by Leitch.