Ryan: $405,600 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $405,600 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois, including $150,000 to the Village of Teutopolis for the extension of Water Street.

The construction of Water Street is part of a long range project to provide additional and safer access between the Village of Teutopolis and the City of Effingham.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Charles A Hartke, D-Effingham.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $150,000 to Cobden Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of a new fire truck. The village is contributing $44,252.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Carbondale.

• $100,000 to Dahlgren Volunteer Fire Department for the construction of a fire station.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. John O. Jones, R-Mt. Vernon.

• $50,000 to Union County Sheriff's Department for two new patrol cars.
  This project was initiated by Bost.

• $50,000 to Hamilton Memorial Hospital District to purchase a 15 passenger handicapped equipped van.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William L. O'Daniel, D-Mt. Vernon.

• $50,000 to Kaskaskia Regional Port District to purchase 2,300 lineal feet of track at Baldwin Industrial Park, greatly enhancing the opportunity to attract major industry to the site by combining barge, rail, and truck access at one site.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Lee Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

• $30,000 to Waterloo Fire Department for the purchase of communication equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta.

• $25,000 to Edwards County to purchase defibrillators. $22,200 will be contributed from private donations and local government.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $23,600 to DeSoto Township Volunteer Fire Department to purchase fire fighting equipment.
  This project was initiated by Bost.

• $10,000 to Carbondale Park District to purchase equipment for Attucks Park. Carbondale Park District is contributing $98,000 and The Department of Natural Resources is contributing $98,000.
  This project was initiated by Bost.

• $2,000 to Monroe County Cooperative Extension to purchase a computer.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.