Governor awards $2.5 million for projects in Chicago's Northern Suburbs

CHICAGO - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today awarded $2.5 million in grants for eleven projects in Morton Grove, Niles, Norridge, Park Ridge and Skokie.  The projects include public safety and infrastructure improvements.

 

"Public safety and public health are two of the criteria we use in reviewing these grants, and these projects meet those standards with the purchase of emergency equipment and improvements to roads, water mains and sewers," said Governor Blagojevich.    

 

The projects being funded include the purchase of a hazardous material emergency response vehicle for the Village of Skokie Fire Department.  The unit will carry all equipment for the department's Special Operations Team (SOT) which serves the Village of Skokie and responds to emergencies in 17 surrounding communities.  The Village is also purchasing a new ambulance.

 

"The growth and development of Skokie and the surrounding areas has increased the demand on our emergency personnel," said State Representative Lou Lang who sponsored the projects for the Village of Skokie.  "The Governor's approval of these funds means our public safety workers will have the most modern equipment available to serve the people of our communities."

 

"I want to thank the Governor for funding these projects which will improve the safety of the Howard Street bridge and many of our local streets," said State Representative Ralph Capparelli who sponsored the projects for the Village of Niles.

 

The grant recipients, grant amounts and project descriptions are listed below:

 

Village of Morton Grove  (Cook County), $200,000 for design engineering expenses for the Dempster Street reconstruction and enhancement project.  This project was sponsored by State Representative Lou Lang and is also in Rep. Ralph Capparelli's district.

 

Village of Niles (Cook County), $400,000 for rehabilitation of the Howard Street bridge including deck repairs, sponsored by State Representative Ralph Capparelli

 

Village of Niles (Cook County), $225,000 Street lighting improvements to address public safety concerns along Elizabeth Avenue, Root and Grand streets, sponsored by State Representative Ralph Capparelli.

 

Village of Niles (Cook County), $205,000 to install 1,500 feet of new water main on Howard Street between Menard and Lehigh avenues sponsored by State Representative Ralph Capparelli.

 

Village of Niles (Cook County), $62,500 for the reconstruction of Central Avenue from Jarvis Avenue to Howard Street.  This is the final installment on a $125,000 grant for this project sponsored by State Representative Ralph Capparelli.

 

Village or Norridge (Cook County), $175,000 for reimbursement of expenses for street lighting and cable upgrades on Wilson Avenue that were completed in September, 2002.  This project was sponsored by State Representative Michael McAuliffe.

 

City of Park Ridge (Cook County),  $400,000 for construction of approximately 14,200 feet of storm relief sewers at seventeen locations throughout the city.  This project was sponsored by State Reprentative Rosemary Mulligan

 

City of Park Ridge (Cook County), $200,000 for expansion of the capacity of the city's retention pond on the property of Lutheran General Hospital.  This is the final installment on a $400,000 grant for this project. . This project was sponsored by State Reprentative Rosemary Mulligan

 

Village of Skokie (Cook County), $250,000 for the resurfacing of Gross Point Road from Church Street to Golf Road.  This project was sponsored by State Representative Lou Lang.

 

 

Village of Skokie (Cook County), $270,000 for the purchase of an ambulance and a hazardous material response truck that will be used by the fire department's Special Operations Team.  This project was sponsored by State Representative Lou Lang.

 

Village of Skokie (Cook County), $197,337 for a variety of municipal improvement initiatives for the police, fire and health departments.  Items to be purchased by the Village include biohazard protective equipment for the fire department, video cameras for 18 police cars, and an upgraded computer system for the health department which has experienced an increased workload due on unforeseen events such as West Niles Virus.  This project was sponsored by State Representative Lou Lang.