Ryan: $2.1 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Northwest Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2,191,075 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northwest Illinois, including $1.5 million to the City of Galena to construct a new wastewater treatment and conveyance system.

The current plant does not comply with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's effluent ammonia limits and does not handle the increased flow due to an expanding tourist trade. The city is contributing $1,886,300.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $556,075 to the Rock Island School District 41 to renovate an abandoned vocational center into a fitness center. The district is contributing $70,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan.

• $100,000 to the Village of Oregon to separate its storm and sanitary system to eliminate overflows into the Rock River.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

• $25,000 to the Sacre Coeur Heartland Centre to renovate its building.
  This project was initiated by Brunsvold.

• $10,000 to the Milledgeville Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.