$1.4 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,452,400 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the Northwest Suburbs, including $400,000 to the Village of Mount Prospect to make improvements to the Central Road corridor from Wolf Road to Arthur Road.

The improvements will include replacing sidewalks, curbs and gutters and installing handicapped accessible ramps. Pedestrian and street lighting, benches, trash/recycling receptacles and plantings will be added to the corridor from Northwest Highway to Illinois Route 83. These improvements will allow for greater pedestrian usage, and add uniform character to the village's downtown.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by state Rep. Carolyn H. Krause, R-Mt. Prospect.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $175,000 to the Northfield Township Road District to plan and complete a storm sewer project on Sanders Road.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, R-Glenview.

• $150,000 to the Village of Northbrook to replace its sanitary sewer lift station.
  This project was initiated by Coulson.

• $108,000 to Elk Grove Village to purchase forty-four automatic external defibrillators to be placed with the police and fire departments and in public buildings.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Kathleen L. "Kay" Wojcik, R-Schaumburg.

• $100,000 to the City of Rolling Meadows to facilitate site development ond construction of a new historical museum. The city, Kimball Hill Homes and private donations are contributing $112,700.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, R-Palatine.

• $65,000 to the Village of Algonquin to purchase a handicapped accessible van and scanning equipment for the Algonquin Police Department.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake.

• $55,000 to the City of Woodstock to purchase police video and computer equipment. The village is contributing $23,453.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $55,000 to the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District to purchase an Incident Command Vehicle, a mobile communication center.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Dave Sullivan, R-Mt. Prospect.

• $50,000 to the Village of Sleepy Hollow to make street improvements.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Steven J. Rauschenberger, R-Elgin.

• $50,000 to the Village of Ringwood to complete the new village hall. The village is contributing $40,609.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, Elmhurst.

• $41,400 to Lekotek of Evanston to upgrade its technology program.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Kathleen K. Parker, R-Northbrook.

• $40,000 to the Elgin YWCA to replace the condensing unit on the air conditioner at the main building.
  This project was initiated by Hoeft.

• $24,000 to Family Alliance, McHenry County to upgrade its computer network.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $17,000 to Prairie Grove Consolidated School District 46 to purchase and install two solar powered School Zone Warning flasher units.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $12,000 to the North Suburban Special Education District to implement a young adult transition program. The district is contributing $242,733.
  This project was initiated by Parker.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District to purchase equipment for its educational mobile display unit.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.