Ryan: $1.5 Million in Illinois First Projects for Southwestern Cook County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.5 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southwestern Cook County, including $450,000 to the South Lyons Township Sanitary District to help reconstruct, expand, and improve main line sewers that have caused backups in the past.

The improvements will help reduce sewer backups and flooding for about 700 residents of the area and will help the district meet the local sewer requirements of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange and State Rep. Eileen Lyons, R-LaGrange.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the City of Hickory Hills to help with the construction of a new public safety building. The city is contributing $3 million toward the project.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills.

• $176,800 to the Southwestern Suburban Center on Aging for renovations to the senior center that include making the facility ADA compliant and air conditioning. The Center will also buy a new bus. More than 4,000 area seniors will benefit.
  This project was initiated by Radogno and Lyons.

• $160,000 to the Village of Indian Head Park to help with the remodeling and expansion of the police department.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $150,000 to the Brookfield Park District to purchase more than five acres of land adjacent to the community's largest park. The district is contributing $950,000 to the purchase.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $100,000 to the Forest View Park District for the construction of an addition to the district's park service center that will include an activity room and offices. The district is contributing $105,000 to the addition.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $70,000 to CEDA to purchase computer hardware and software for the education and skills training of young people and adults in Summit. More than 25 computers and related equipment will be bought.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $50,000 to the Justice Park District for improvements and the renovation of Veterans Park and Commissioners Park.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $30,000 to the LaGrange Park District to help with the renovation of the gymnasium at Seventh Avenue Elementary School that is used for youth basketball programs, as well as to help with the purchase of a new dump truck and snow plow.
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $25,000 to the Village of Justice for the purchase of playground equipment.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $25,000 to the Roberts Park Fire Protection District to help with the purchase of a "brush buggy" fire truck that is designed to fight forest and grass fires. The district already has received $25,000 in Illinois FIRST funds.
  This project was initiated by Zickus.

• $25,000 to the Robert Park Fire Protection District for the purchase of a "brush buggy."
  This project was initiated by Radogno.

• $15,000 to the Village of LaGrange Park to help with the purchase of portable weight scale for trucks that will be used by the village's police department.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.

• $15,000 to the Fire District Fire Chiefs Association for the purchase four self-contained breathing systems that will be used by specially trained firefighters during a hazardous material emergency. More than 70 local fire districts belong to the Association.
  This project was initiated by Zickus.

• $10,000 to the Bridgeview Public Library to upgrade computer equipment and the library's internet service so users can access the on-line catalog.
  This project was initiated by Lyons.