$1.6 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Lake County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.6 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Lake County, including $250,000 to the Lake Bluff Library in Lake Forest to construct an addition. The addition will house an expanded children's department, the Vliet Center for local area history, meeting rooms, storage space and an office for library staff.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $250,000 to Finch University of Health Sciences to construct a building on its main campus in North Chicago that will enable the departments of psychiatry, psychology and related health sciences to be moved to the main campus.
  This project was initiated by House Leader Lee A. Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

• $200,000 to the Waukegan Park District to upgrade equipment and facilities at Roosevelt Park, Smith Park, Kirk Park and Ray Bradbury Park.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $170,000 to the Winchester House Nursing Home in Libertyville to replace out-dated, deteriorated windows with high-efficiency double-hung windows equipped with special locks. This project was initiated by State Rep. Andrea Moore, R-Libertyville.

• $150,000 to Libertyville Township to construct the second phase of a regional trail through open space lands located in the Liberty Prairie Nature Reserve.
  This project was initiated by Moore.

• $120,000 to the Village of Lincolnshire to install a crushed granite path around the exterior of the North Park Recreational Facility.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $100,000 to the City of Zion to complete its water main replacement project. The city will contribute $235,745 from its sewer and water fund.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Timothy H. Osmond, R-Antioch.

• $80,000 to the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission to develop a Sequoit Creek Watershed plan.
  This project was initiated by State. Sen. Adeline J. Geo-Karis, R-Zion.

• $60,000 to the Wildwood Park District to replace playground equipment and install a walking/biking path.
  These projects were sponsored by Geo-Karis and Moore.

• $50,000 to the Mundelein Park & Recreation District to construct a hard surface in-line skating facility. These improvements will provide a safe area for skating and eliminate hazards of using the public streets.
  This project was initiated by Moore.

• $50,000 to the Family Service Agency of North Lake County to purchase office equipment to better serve its counseling clients.
  This project was initiated by Geo-Karis.

• $50,000 to the Round Lake Area Park District to renovate a building for a community youth center.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William E. Peterson, R-Long Grove.

• $40,000 to Positive Systematic Transformations to install a new storm sewer to facilitate construction of new housing low-income housing.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $20,000 to Shields Township to provide rental assistance to homeless and low-income individuals and families seeking or maintaining affordable dwellings.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

• $10,000 to Emmons Grade School District 33 in Antioch to purchase new classroom computer equipment to fulfill the goals of its technology plan.
  This project was initiated by Osmond.

• $10,000 to the Waukegan Park District to purchase benches, picnic tables and landscaping at Rudd Farm Park.
  This project was initiated by Moore.

• $5,000 to the Learning Rainbow Child Development Center in Gurnee to complete a kitchen that meets health department rules.
  This project was initiated by Geo-Karis.

• $5,000 to the Fox Lake Public Library to purchase storage equipment, display equipment and learning materials for its children's corner.
  This project was initiated by Osmond.

• $4,000 to the Lake County Sheriff to purchase two radar operated digital road speed display boards for use throughout its jurisdiction.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.