$482,500 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Northwest Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $482,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northwest Illinois, including $100,000 to Sterling Township to construct a sanitary sewer collection system for the Steelton and Grimes subdivisions.

The new system will connect to an already existing system within the city of Sterling and will replace the homeowners' individual septic systems.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $100,000 to the City of Sterling to make street improvements. This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $65,000 to the Tampico Rural Fire Protection District to purchase a new fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $50,000 to East Dubuque School District 119 to construct a new school bus transportation facility. The district is contributing $115,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

• $50,000 to the City of Dixon to complete an infrastructure expansion at the Lee County Association Industrial Park. The city is contributing $46,000.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $40,000 to the Erie Fire Protection District to purchase land for a new fire station and to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline.

• $25,000 to the Forreston Public Library to complete construction on a renovation and expansion project.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ronald Lawfer, R-Stockton.

• $22,000 to West Galena Township to construct handicap accessible rest rooms at the Wienen Memorial Park.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $20,000 to the Hampton Fire Rescue Department to purchase a new emergency vehicle. The department is contributing $90,000.
  This project was initiated by Boland.

• $10,000 to the Savanna Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.