Ryan: $175,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Far Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $175,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the far Northwest Suburbs, including $100,000 to the Village of Bull Valley to renovate an existing barn on Cherry Valley Road into a Village Hall/Police Station. This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $75,000 to the Greater Elgin Family Health Care Center to purchase office furniture, equipment and supplies. The center is contributing $150,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Patricia Reid Lindner, R-Aurora.

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.