$1.9 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for the South Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,940,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in the south suburbs, including $300,000 to St. Coletta's of Illinois to purchase an elevator, a fire sprinkler system, a handicap accessible van and video conference equipment for its new vocational program center.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels of Elmhurst.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $250,000 to the Altgeld Health Center for the repayment of a bank loan.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Bill Shaw, D-Dolton.

• $225,000 to the Village of Frankfort to construct an educational nature trail at Frankfort Prairie Park. The village is contributing $384,812.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. William F. Mahar, R-Orland Park.

• $200,000 to the City of Hickory Hills to construct a new public safety building. The city is contributing $221,600.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills.

• $150,000 to the Village of Flossmoor to develop the Flossmoor Garden and Sculpture Walk.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

• $125,000 to the City of Oak Forest to purchase a new sewer jet. This project was initiated by State Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest.

• $100,000 to the Willow Springs School District to renovate a student bathroom at the elementary school.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange.

• $99,000 to Frankfort Township to purchase and install street lights.
  This project was initiated by Mahar.

• $90,000 to the New Lenox Community Park District to develop its new Wildwood Park site and make improvements to Windermere West Park. The district is contributing $100,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Renee Kosel, R-New Lenox.

• $75,000 to the Village of Worth to install a sidewalk from 111th Street to 115th Street. The village is contributing $28,442.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $60,000 to the Country Club Hills Park District to install lighting at the Hillcrest High School football field. The district is contributing $11,171.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Harold Murphy, D-Markham.

• $50,000 to the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force to purchase computer equipment and cellular phones.
  This project was initiated by Halvorson.

• $50,000 to the Joliet Park District to repair the roof at the Bird Haven Conservatory Showhouse.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $30,000 to the Village of Frankfort to purchase a 12-passenger van to transport program participants to Frankfort Youth Commission-sponsored activities.
  This project was initiated by Mahar.

• $25,000 to the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn to purchase paint, carpet tiles, lighting and exhibit materials and to landscape and make bathroom renovations at its museum.
  This project was initiated by Brosnahan.

• $20,000 to the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force for the security deposit and the monthly rent and to purchase office furniture for its headquarters.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. George F. Scully, D-Flossmoor.

• $20,000 to the Lyons Police Department to purchase and install computers and equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-Western Springs.

• $17,000 to Service of Will, Grundy & Kankakee Counties, Inc., a not-for-profit cooperation providing access choices for a better life to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities, to implement its "Individual Service and Support Advocacy" program.
  This project was initiated by Kosel.

• $7,000 to Markham Boys Baseball to make field improvements.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $7,000 to the Unity Coalition of South Suburbs to provide entertainment, food, and set up for Unity Day.
  This project was initiated by Scully.

• $5,500 to the Lyons Police Department for one-time training costs for a "rapid deployment" program.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $5,000 to the Alsip Merrionette Park Library to hire a computer consultant and to purchase computers and equipment.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the Arbor Park School District to purchase and install playground equipment at Scarlet Oak School.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the Chicago Ridge Public Library to purchase three additional support units to connect and access a System Wide Automated Network from the suburban library system.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the Palos Park Historical Society to purchase a computer, a scanner, a fax machine and three filing cabinets.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force to hire clerical and administrative personnel.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the Village of Palos Park Arts Council to hire a consultant, an orchestra to perform at a concert in the park event, a musical group at the Taste of Palos event and visual artists for a four day event.
  This project was initiated by Crotty.

• $5,000 to the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force to train 20 task force supervisors and investigators in the proper conduct of "homicide investigations."
  This project was initiated by Zickus.