$365,000 in Illinois FIRST Projects for East Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $365,000 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in East Central Illinois, including $125,000 to the Village of Jewett to make improvements to its water treatment plant.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Duane Noland, R-Blue Mound.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $110,000 to the Urbana Park District to develop a pony league baseball field.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas B. Berns, R-Urbana.

• $60,000 to the Village of Sydney to make improvements at Witt Park. The village is contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Stanley B. Weaver, R-Urbana.

• $50,000 to the Cumberland County Fair Association to construct a new building and to make repairs at the fairgrounds.
  This project was initiated by Noland.

• $10,000 to CASA in Charleston to purchase office supplies and equipment for the Coles County CASA program.
  This program was initiated by State Sen. Judith A. Myers, R-Danville.

• $5,000 to Crittenden Township to construct a well for the road and bridge shed and the town building.
  This project was initiated by Berns.

• $5,000 to the Village of Homer to purchase playground equipment for Homer Park.
  This project was initiated by Berns.