Ryan: $945,600 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern and East Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $945,600 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois, including $93,000 to the Casey Township Volunteer Fire Department to purchase equipment and supplies and to provide training to its firefighters.

The purchases will include a "jaws of life," turn out gear, an air bag system, a "glass master," an air hammer extraction kit, a trauma kit, a pediatric immobilization system, an oxygen rescue kit, radios, back braces, head blocks, spine boards, extraction collars, blankets and hallagan bar tools.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Judith A. Myers, R-Danville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to the Village of Nashville to help make road improvements to a section of Illinois Route 127 between Nashville and Interstate 64 in Washington County. The village is contributing $180,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen.David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville.

• $40,000 to Mound City to make improvements to its municipal garage.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jim Fowler, D-Harrisburg.

• $30,000 to the Village of Cutler to connect a new well to the existing water treatment plant.
  This project was initiated by Luechtefeld.

• $10,000 to the Millstadt Union Fire Department to purchase equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville.

• $5,000 to the Harrisburg Golden Circle to purchase and install a heating and air conditioning unit and facility equipment.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $3,000 to the Smithton Public Library to purchase and install carpet throughout most of the library.
  This project was initiated by Luechtefeld.

• $2,000 to the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council, Inc., to purchase kitchen and facility equipment for the Red Bud Senior Center.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $1,000 to Cypress School District 64 to support a new reading series.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.