$1.8 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Lake County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.8 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Lake County, including $400,000 to the City of Lake Forest for the Gorton Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides activities for the benefit of the entire community.

The funds will be used to remodel and renovate its community center, making it ADA compliant.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $350,000 to the City of Lake Forest for the Gorton Foundation to renovate its community center.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

• $300,000 to the City of North Chicago to purchase land and an existing building for use as a new police station.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $200,000 to Adlai E. Stevenson High School to develop 50 acres on a former Nike Site into an athletic complex.
  This project was initiated by Link.

• $168,000 to the City of Waukegan for road improvements between a new fire station and its airport.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Adeline Geo-Karis, R-Zion.

• $100,000 to Lake County Forest Preserve to help create a 4-mile long "Riverhill Section" of the Des Plaines River Trail, north of Libertyville.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Andrea Moore, R-Libertyville.

• $75,000 to the Waukegan Park District to upgrade and renovate Upton Park.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $70,000 to the Zion Park District to purchase a 26-seat passenger bus equipped with a wheelchair lift.
  This project was initiated by Geo-Karis.

• $50,000 to the Village of Barrington to landscape portions of US Route 14.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Sidney Mathias, R-Buffalo Grove.

• $25,000 to Zion Elementary School District 6 to purchase computer equipment and supplies, and a photo-ID system. The district will contribute $50,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Timothy Osmond, R-Antioch.

• $25,000 to the YWCA of Lake County to expand its Racial Justice Study Circle youth program to address the problems of racism and youth violence.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.

• $25,000 to the Village of Barrington to make streetscape improvements to its central business district.
  This project was initiated by Mathias.

• $16,000 to Waukegan Township to purchase taxi vouchers for senior citizens to use for transportation to and from medical appointments.
  This project was initiated by Moore.

• $5,000 to the Career Resource Center in Lake Forest to expand internet access for clients who are in between jobs.
  This project was initiated by Garrett.