Ryan: $555,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Lake County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $555,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Lake County, including $175,000 to the Vernon Township Road District to help with the installation of new storm sewers to prevent flooding.

More than 60 homes in the Haratio Gardens subdivision are not connected to a storm sewer system that helps alleviate flooding problems. The district is contributing $100,000.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. William Peterson, R-Long Grove and State Rep. Sidney Mathias, R-Buffalo Grove.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the Village of Kildeer to help construct a new village hall that will also house police offices. The offices are currently in a private home. The village is contributing $2.4 million.
  This project was initiated by Mathias.

• $50,000 to the Northern Illinois Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to supplement the operations of the non-profit organization, which provides counseling services for at-risk youth.
  This project was initiated by Peterson.

• $50,000 to the Gurnee Park District to help buy about five acres of land adjacent to Shaw Park. The district is contributing $11,700.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Andrea Moore, R-Libertyville.

• $50,000 to the Village of Deer Park to help with the renovation of an old farmhouse into the village's administrative offices. A previous $75,000 Illinois FIRST grant helped purchase the property. The village is contributing $37,000.
  This project was initiated by Peterson.

• $50,000 to the Grayslake Park District to develop baseball and softball fields at Central Park.
  This project was initiated by Peterson.

• $30,000 to the Village of Hoffman Estates to help purchase a new telecommunication system for the village, which is contributing $50,000.
  This project was initiated by Peterson.

• $25,000 to the Newport Township Fire Protection District to help purchase a new pickup truck that will be used to fight brush fires.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Tim Osmond, R-Antioch.

• $25,000 to the Arlington Heights Park District to purchase new playground equipment at Sunset Ridge Park.
  This project was initiated by Mathias.