$418,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $418,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois, including $85,000 to the Franklin County Sheriff's Department to purchase new computer equipment and video cameras, allowing the department to perform more effectively and efficiently.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, Elmhurst.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $70,000 to the Village of Royalton to complete construction on a new library and purchase a new police vehicle.

• $50,000 to the City of Carterville to purchase a new ambulance. The city is contributing $50,000.

• $50,000 to the City of Nashville to purchase a new garbage packer truck. The city is contributing $64,000.

• $45,000 to Johnston City to purchase a new backhoe. The city is contributing $20,160.

• $28,000 to the Marion Senior Citizens Center to purchase and install a power generator at its center.

• $25,000 to the Christopher Fire Department to purchase a new tanker truck. The district is contributing $29,000.

• $20,000 to the City of Eldorado to purchase a backhoe.

• $20,000 to the Harrisburg Township Park District to purchase and install new playground equipment in Memorial Park.

• $10,000 to the Harrisburg DARE program to purchase equipment and materials.

• $10,000 to the Village of Thompsonville to replace fire hydrants.

• $5,000 to the Creal Springs Park Board to make improvements to the city park.

These projects were initiated by Daniels.