Ryan: $9.7 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for DuPage County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $9,778,700 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in DuPage County, including $2.5 million to Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 to help renovate York High School.

The renovations will be completed in two phases. Phase I will consist of a new academic wing in which classrooms, computer and science labs, art areas and forum rooms will be housed. Phase II will consist of renovating the central core of the building and enclosing the courtyard to accommodate a larger cafeteria and commons area. A portion of this building will be demolished to house an athletic facility for regular programs, extracurricular practices/events, and community programs. The district is contributing $72 million.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $2,200,000 to the DuPage County Election Commission to purchase hardware, software and technical support that will convert DuPage County to an in-precinct optional scan voting and tabulation system.
  This project was initiated by Philip.
• $2,000,000 to the Morton Aboretum, a nonprofit organization in Lisle, to construct a new entrance/exit along Illinois Route 53, into the facility. The organization is contributing $1,285,640.
  This project was initiated by Philip.
• $2,000,000 to DuPage County to expand the Judicial Office Facility located at 505 North County Farm Road in Wheaton.
  This project was initiated by Philip.
• $300,000 to the Wheaton Park District to help purchase 9.95 acres of developed land known as Briarpatch Park. The district is contributing $398,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton.
• $408,300 to the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation to construct an office/program/storage facility on Belmont Road in Downers Grove.
  This project received grants initiated by:
  
  • State Rep. Patricia "Patti" Bellock, R-Hinsdale
    
  • State Rep. James H. "Jim" Meyer, R-Bolingbrook
    
  • State Rep. Vincent A. Persico, R-Glen Ellyn
    
  • State Rep. Randall M. Hultgren, R-Wheaton
    
  • State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange
    
  • State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs
    
  • State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills
• $100,000 to the City of Darien to install a water line from the south side of Interstate 55 to give the city a second connection between its existing water plant and distribution system. The city is contributing $150,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Kirk W. Dillard, R-Hinsdale.
• $100,000 to the City of Naperville to conduct an engineering study for road construction on Route 59 from Ferry Road to Meridian Parkway.
  This project was initiated by Roskam.
• $50,000 to Lisle Park District to help implement a district wide technology-based information management plan.
  This project was initiated by Persico.
• $32,000 to Coleman Tri-County Services, Harrisburg, to purchase a handicapped accessible van.
  This project was initiated by Philip.
• $18,000 to Bridge Communities, Inc., to purchase office equipment and furniture for its facility in Glen Ellyn.
  This project was initiated by Roskam.
• $6,000 to God's Gym, a nonprofit organization providing after school programs and activities to at-risk and gang youth in Aurora, to renovate two soccer fields and a volleyball court at Pavilion Park.
• $5,000 to the Illinois Prairie Path to help purchase and install mile markers, drinking fountains, benches, comfort stations, trash containers and display cases along the 61 mile Illinois Prairie Path.
  This project was initiated by Hultgren.

Illinois FIRST funds are not part of the state budget's General Revenue Fund. Recently, lagging tax collections brought on by a slowdown in the national economy and the terrorist attacks of September 11 have forced the governor to order spending cuts in the General Revenue Fund that amount to less than 2 percent of total spending. Illinois FIRST monies are derived from separate accounts in the state budget -- the Road Fund and the Fund for Illinois Future -- as well as through the sale of state bonds.