$4.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southwestern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $4.275 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southwestern Illinois, including $950,000 to construct a multi-purpose baseball stadium in Collinsville.

The facility will be comprised of concession facilities, a family picnic and playground activity area, administrative and ticketing offices, a gift shop, and a parking lot. The facility will be used for minor league baseball games, concerts and various community events.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Evelyn M. Bowles, D-Edwardsville and State Rep. Jay C. Hoffman, D-Belleville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $600,000 to the City of Centralia to construct a raw water pump station and make improvements to an existing raw water line.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Kurt M. Granberg, D-Carlyle.

• $500,000 to the City of Madison to purchase a new aerial platform fire truck.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville.

• $350,000 to the Village of Sauget to purchase fire trucks and to build an addition to the existing fire house.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr., D-Belleville and State Rep. Wyvetter H. Younge, D-East St. Louis.

• $180,000 to the Village of Breese to install water lines for its water supply system.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Troy.

• $150,000 to the City of Vandalia to re-design its historic district.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $140,000 to the City of Belleville to purchase a communications control console, base station/receivers and a touch screen for police and fire emergency services.
  This project was initiated by Clayborne.

• $120,000 to the Troy Fire Protection District to purchase a new aerial fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Stephens.

• $100,000 to the City of Collinsville Fire Department to purchase a new rescue/fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $100,000 to the Alton Museum of History & Art, Inc. to convert a local historic house into an interactive children's museum.
  This project was initiated by Bowles.

• $90,000 to the Village of Swansea to purchase a fire truck and emergency warning system.
  This project was initiated by Clayborne.

• $80,000 to the City of Kinmundy to restore the historic Illinois Central Railroad water tower.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $75,000 to the Senior Citizens Services, Inc. to upgrade and remodel the Edwardsville senior center.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $69,000 to the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new radio system and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
  This project was initiated by Bowles.

• $67,000 to the Fairview Heights Police Department to purchase two new police vehicles for general use and an SUV for use by its Community Service Officer Unit.
  These projects were initiated by Hoffman.

• $65,000 to the Children's Center for Behavioral Development in Centerville to replace the roof on its treatment facility.
  This project was initiated by Clayborne.

• $60,000 to the Collinsville Area Recreation District to purchase new playground equipment for Glidden Park and Woodland Park.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $55,000 to the Fairview Heights Police Department to assist in the cost of designing a new police department facility.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $50,000 to the Prairie Fire Protection District to reduce outstanding debt on its existing fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Stephens.

• $50,000 to the Salem Fire Protection District to purchase a brush truck and fire fighting equipment.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $50,000 to the Village of Germantown to excavate its lake.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $50,000 to Nameoki Township to repair and resurface Arlington Drive.
  This project was initiated by Bowles and Holbrook.

• $30,000 to the Village of Swansea to install lighting on the recreation fields at Charles Melvin Price Park.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $30,000 to Lone Grove Township to purchase property for a new township maintenance shed.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $25,000 to the City of O'Fallon to purchase video-recording systems for six of its police vehicles.
  This project was initiated by Stephens.

• $25,000 each to the Hollywood Heights and Glen Carbon Volunteer Fire Departments to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  These projects were initiated by Hoffman.

• $25,000 to the Illinois Coalition for Community Services for after-school tutoring programs at five local churches.
  This project was initiated by Clayborne.

• $25,000 to the Church Road Fire Department to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Younge.

• $20,000 to the Village of Brooklyn to establish an Office of Planning and Development to oversee a comprehensive civic and economic recovery plan.
  This project was initiated by Younge.

• $20,000 to the Centralia Fire Protection District to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $20,000 to the Centralia Rotary Clubs Foundation to purchase a backstop and fencing for local baseball fields.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $20,000 to the Village of St. Peter to maintain sidewalks and to clean and paint the water tank.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $10,000 each to the Keyesport and Farina Fire Protection Districts to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  These projects were initiated by State Sen. Frank C. Watson, R-Greenville.

• $10,000 to the Village of Caseyville to purchase a lawn mower and a storage shed for its cemetery association.
  This project was initiated by Holbrook.

• $10,000 to the Pontoon Beach Senior Citizens Center to repair a floor.
  This project was initiated by Holbrook.

• $10,000 to the Granite City School District to install lighting at the high school athletic field.
  This project was initiated by Holbrook.

• $8,000 to the Village of Swansea to purchase an automatic defibrillator for use by its police and fire departments.
  This project was initiated by Holbrook.

• $7,000 to Carlyle Township to purchase a backhoe for its road and bridge department.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $6,000 to the Village of St. Jacob to purchase radio equipment for use in its police cars.
  This project was initiated by Stephens.

• $1,400 to the Centralia Chapter of the American Red Cross to purchase a storage shed for its disaster relief supplies.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.