$647,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for the Far Northwest Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $647,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the far Northwest Suburbs, including $225,000 to the City of Elgin.

This grant will help pay for the Kimball Street underpass, a part of the city's Riverfront Master Plan, which will provide safe and convenient access to the library, downtown area and river trail.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Douglas L. Hoeft, R-Elgin.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Pioneer Memorial Foundation to cast, install and purchase the copyright for the Pioneer Family Memorial sculpture.

• $75,000 to the Village of East Dundee to install a box culvert under Van Buren Street.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin.

• $50,000 to the Nunda Township Road District to purchase a van that will transport senior citizens around the township.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

• $50,000 to Algonquin Township to purchase a handicapped accessible bus to provide transportation for seniors and handicapped citizens. This project was initiated by State Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake.

• $50,000 to the Village of Lake in the Hills to purchase a van for use by senior citizens.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $50,000 to the Village of Sleepy Hollow to replace the bridge over Jelkes Creek.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $20,000 to the Hinckley Elementary School PTO to replace playground equipment.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $10,000 to the McHenry County 4-H Foundation for the purchase of conflict resolution resources, leadership training materials, hands-on learning supplies and curriculum for the Cloverbud program for youth ages 5 to 7.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $7,000 to the Hampshire Fire Protection District to purchase a computerized fire simulator to improve the training of emergency personnel.
  This project was initiated by Rauschenberger.

• $5,000 to PADS of McHenry County to purchase furniture for a new facility.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.

• $5,000 to the McHenry County Historical Society to replace the roof on a storage facility that houses historic artifacts.
  This project was initiated by Klemm.