Ryan: $886,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for the South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $886,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the South Suburbs, including $600,000 to the Village of Lynwood to purchase land for the construction of the Southland Sports & Exposition Center.

The facility will provide a venue for trade shows, concerts, sports, spectator events, after-school activities for children and senior citizen and adult recreation activities. The center will be built at 197th and Stony Island Avenue.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $125,000 to the Village of Olympia Fields to construct an administrative office building for its Public Works Department at 20701 Governors Highway. The village is contributing $100,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, D-Flossmoor.

• $91,000 to the Pastors Network of Illinois to support its "Youth Motivation Program."
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harold Murphy, D-Markham.

• $30,000 to the Hazel Crest Park District to purchase computer and telephone system equipment.

• $25,000 to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to purchase playground equipment, classroom furnishings and educational/play equipment for the Anita M. Stone Jewish Community Center in Flossmoor.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $15,000 to the Village of Olympia Fields to purchase a water meter reading system and police radios and equipment.
  This project was initiated by Halvorson.