$1.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Far Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,270,100 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the far Northwest Suburbs, including $250,000 to Kane County to upgrade the central control center at the Kane County Jail.

The existing equipment is operated by manual switches and there are many areas of the jail that are unmonitored, leaving correctional officers with no means of communication with the central control center. The enhancements will include a state-of-the-art push button control panel and cable, device and electrical installation, increasing officer safety and the efficiency of jail operations. The county is contributing $250,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Patricia Reid Lindner, R-Aurora.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Village of East Dundee to make street improvements.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Steven J. Rauschenberger, R-Elgin.

• $100,000 to the Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck. The district is contributing $215,000.
  This project was initiated by Lindner.

• $100,000 to the Village of Ringwood to complete construction of a new village Municipal Building. The village is contributing $40,609.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake.

• $100,000 to the City of McHenry, Department of Parks & Recreation to construct a skate park. The city is contributing $155,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jack D. Franks, D-Woodstock.

• $100,000 to the Village of Carpentersville to make street and sidewalk improvements. The village is contributing $100,000.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $97,500 to the Village of Johnsburg to purchase a truck, tractor, two police cars and to support the DARE program.
  This project was initiated by Franks.

• $85,000 to the Village of Bull Valley to purchase two trucks.
  This project was initiated by Franks.

• $80,000 to the Village of Johnsburg to purchase a truck, police apparel and armaments for the police department.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $50,000 to the Village of Sleepy Hollow to make street improvements.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $50,000 to the East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District to purchase a new ambulance. The district is contributing $17,200.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $35,000 to the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin to construct a "Discovery Studio".
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $30,000 to the McHenry County Sheriff's Department to purchase four mobile data computers.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $30,000 to the City of Harvard to construct a new parking lot at Milkyway Park. The city is contributing $10,000.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $15,000 to McHenry PADS, Inc. to implement an outreach program.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, Elmhurst.

• $10,000 to the Richmond Township Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Franks.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Housing Authority to provide one week of emergency motel shelter for homeless individuals and families.
  This project was initiated by Franks.

• $10,000 to the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association to purchase office equipment.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $7,000 to the Hampshire Police Department to purchase two mobile video systems.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $5,600 to the McHenry County for the Veterans Assistance Commission to purchase a van.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $5,000 to the Village of Richmond to implement a senior citizen bus program.
  This project was initiated by Franks.