Ryan: $1.3 Million in Illinois First Projects for the South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,306,610 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the South Suburbs, including $1million to the Village of Evergreen Park to purchase 100 acres of open land.

The acquisition of this last 100 acres will ensure that it will not be overtaken by the continued increase of retail and residential developments. The space will be used to expand and enhance recreational and educational opportunities. The village is contributing $11 million.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $210,000 to Palos Heights to make renovations to its Recreation Center.
  This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $39,660 to the Park Forest Health Department to purchase and install computers.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, D-Flossmoor.

• $18,000 to the Evergreen Park Fire Department to purchase an infrared imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James D. Brosnahan, D-Evergreen Park.

• $10,200 to the Bridgeview Public Library to install a "firewall" for the purpose of making its online public access catalog available via the World Wide Web.
  This project was initiated by State Sen.Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange.

• $10,000 to the Chicago Ridge Park District to replace the playground equipment and construct a walking path and a gazebo at Water Tower Park.

• $7,000 to the Chicago Heights Public Works Department to install a guardrail and fencing at the baseball field at Greenbriar School and to remove a guardrail on Chicago Road and Greenbriar Drive.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $5,000 to the Steger Police Department to purchase seasonal uniforms for the bike patrol and hand outs, video training aids and class supplies for its community programs.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $5,000 to Grand Prairie Services, Tinley Park, to purchase accounting software.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $1,750 to Midlothian School District 143 to implement a computer training program for area senior citizens.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

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.