Ryan: $2.3 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for East Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2.34 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in East Central Illinois, including $800,000 to the City of Danville for the renovation and widening of Voorhees Street, a major road that serves many industries.

Voorhees Street will be expanded and improved with a center turn lane from the railroad tracks west of Griffen Street to Michigan Avenue. Truck traffic along Voorhees Street has increased in recent years and is expected to grow in the future thanks to an addition to the Quaker Oats facility in Danville.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $400,000 to the City of Danville to build a new road from East Main Street to Cannon Street between Ohio and Pennsylvania streets to serve industries in the area.
  This project was initiated by Black.

• $200,000 to Marshall Community Unit School District C-2 in Clark County to construct a stage and related storage areas at the west end of the junior high school gymnasium.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon.

• $180,000 to the Lincoln Fire protection District to purchase a new fire truck that will serve some 50,000 people.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $150,000 to the Cissna Park Fire Protection District to help purchase a new ambulance and a new rescue truck to replace outdated equipment.
  This project was iniiated by Black.

• $149,496 to Sidell Township to purchase a new grader/plow to be used for road repair and snow removal.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $100,000 to the Newman Township Highway Department to help construct a new office and storage building.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $100,000 to the City of Marshall to help purchase and remodel an existing building into a new senior center. The new facility which will include a lounge, office, computer room and kitchen, will also allow the city to develop a "meals on wheels" program.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $75,000 to the City of Georgetown Ambulance Service to purchase a new ambulance.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $61,900 to Elwood Township to purchase an end loader and backhoe to maintain township roads.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $33,800 to the North Edgar County Ambulance Service to purchase new emergency equipment, including radios, a defibrillator and other medical supplies.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $20,000 to the City of Mattoon to purchase a thermal imaging camera to help firefighters see in dark, smoky conditions.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $20,000 to the City of Marshall to purchase a new police car.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $18,200 to the East Central Illinois Drug Task Force to purchase evidence processing equipment, radios and computers. The task force is composed of eight area law enforcement agencies.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $13,570 to the Kansas Police Department to purchase new radio equipment.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $9,850 to the Allerton Park Historic Society to renovate the public pavilion at Allerton Park.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $9,750 to the Village of Kansas for the purchase of a defibrillator.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $6,900 to the Chester P. Sutton Senior Center to purchase a computer, stove, a blood pressure machine and other equipment.
  This project was initiated by Righter.

• $1,000 to the Mattoon Community Food Center to purchase two new freezers to increase the center's storage capacity.
  This project was initiated by Righter.