Governor announces $545,000 for Northwest Illinois capital projects

CHICAGO- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today awarded more than $545,000 in grants for three capital projects in Northwest Illinois.  The City of Savanna is receiving $345,440 for development of a lodge adjacent to the Mississippi Palisades State Park; the Village of Erie is getting a $100,000 grant for sewer work; and, a $100,000 grant is being used for construction of a new building to house the Florence Aldridge Child Development Center in East Moline.

 

The lodge project will include design and construction of the main specialty lodge facility, parking areas, a main entrance and access road, recreational trail development, and pedestrian shelter bicycle racks. Once constructed the lodge is expected to attract 20,000 visitors annually. This is the final installment on a $500,000 grant for this project.

 

"Tourism is an economic engine for all of Illinois with a direct economic impact of nearly $22 billion statewide," said Governor Blagojevich.  "We want to increase the tourists to the area and develop new infrastructure that not only draws tourists to Illinois, but also provides them with places to stay longer and ultimately create an economic impact for the region."

 

The Florence Aldridge Child Development Center is operated by East Moline Citizens for a Community Center.  The organization currently operates the only licensed full-year, full-day childcare program in the City of East Moline, which also serves families from surrounding communities.  The new facility will have over 8,000 square feet of usable space allowing the program to expand the number of children served to approximately 120.

 

"One of the issues facing Illinois families is finding safe, affordable and high quality child care," said Governor Blagojevich.  "This new center is going to go a long way in easing the burden on the working families in the Quad Cities, ensuring their children are safe while they work."

 

The Village of Erie is extending the village's wastewater treatment plant outfall sewer from a backwater slough area to the main channel of the Rock River.  The extension is required for the village to be in regulatory compliance.

 

The lodge project was sponsored by the Governor's Office.  The other two grants were made possible by the hard work of State Senator Denny Jacobs.

 

"I want to thank the Governor for authorizing the payment of these important projects.  Both of these facilities will have a positive, measurable impact in my district" said Jacobs.