$324,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $324,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois, including $40,000 to the Rural Pope County Fire Protection District to purchase new fire fighting equipment.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. James Fowler, D-Harrisburg.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $30,000 to the Saline County 911 Board to upgrade a portion of the road sign system with larger characters and assemblies.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $25,000 to the Village of Evansville to purchase a truck and snow plow.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, R- Elmhurst.

• $25,000 to the Village of Irvington to make improvements to an existing sewer system.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Rietz, D-Steeleville.

• $25,000 to the Village of Evansville to purchase a truck, snowplow, spreader and dump bed.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $25,000 to the Village of Flat Rock to make improvements to its water wells.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William O'Daniel, D-Mount Vernon.

• $20,000 to the Village of Freeburg to purchase two outdoor warning siren units.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville.

• $15,000 to Immaculate Conception School to purchase and install a new phone system.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $12,500 to the Village of Stonefort to make repairs to the community center and village hall.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $10,000 to the Benton Public Library to remove asbestos containing tiles and contaminated carpet from the library in preparation for new carpet.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Larry Woolard, D- Carterville.

• $10,500 to the Boyton Street Community Center to purchase supplies and curricular materials for the Positive Youth Development program for children ages 6-14 years old.
  This project was initiated by Woolard.

• $10,000 to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Williamson County to purchase office equipment and expand training sessions. There is a local match of $10,159 from CASA.
  This project was initiated by Woolard.

• $10,000 to the Christopher Public Library to purchase equipment, install new carpet and replace windows in the library.
  This project was initiated by Woolard.

• $10,000 to the Zeigler Public Library to make renovations to the historic train depot that will house the library and to purchase a new internet workstation.
  This project was initiated by Woolard.

• $10,000 to the Coulterville Fire Protection District to purchase and install a breathing air tank filling system.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $10,000 to the Irvington Fire Protection District to purchase equipment for firefighting in farm fields, grasslands and wooded areas.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $7,500 to the Village of New Burnside to purchase equipment for the volunteer fire department.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $5,000 to the Village of Percy for the Percy Cemetery Board's renovations to foundations and monuments at the cemetery.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $5,000 to the Village of Radom to patch and repair four miles of road within the village.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $5,000 to Shawnee College to purchase equipment for the women's softball team.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $5,000 to the City of Harrisburg to install a ramp from the senior citizens center to a walking trail.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $5,000 to Washington County Senior Services to replace the furnaces in the senior center.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $3,500 to the Hardin County DARE program to purchase equipment and supplies.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.