Ryan: $2.5 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2,595,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois, including $1,800,000 to the Masonic Children's Home to construct a children's home on 42 acres of donated land west of Murphysboro in Jackson County.

The construction will include two eight-bed homes, an administration building, as well as outdoor activity areas. The organization will contribute $84,200.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $375,000 to the City of Olney to help construct a new fire station on North Walnut Street.
  This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. William O'Daniel, D-Mt. Vernon.

• $220,000 to Rend Lake College for the construction of an attendance center and training facility.
  This project was initiated by O'Daniel.

• $60,000 to the Village of Freeburg for the construction of a salt dome storage facility.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville.

• $45,000 to the Randolph County Care Center to purchase a specialized vehicle for improving the transportation needs of residents.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $20,000 to the Village of Ullin to replace deteriorated sidewalks and to replace deteriorated ones.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jim Fowler, D-Harrisburg.

• $15,000 to the Village of Hecker to purchase snow removal equipment.
  This project was initiated by Reitz.

• $15,000 to the Village of Pulaski to purchase equipment and complete the expansion of city hall for the police department.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $10,000 to the Southeastern Illinois Community College to replace stair treads and seven stairwells at the main campus building.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

• $10,000 to the Cutler Community Fire Protection District to purchase new fire fighting equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville.

• $10,000 to the Massac County Youth Association in Metropolis to purchase a tractor equipped with a loader and a mower for maintenance at its baseball and softball fields.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee Daniels, Elmhurst.

• $5,000 to the Youth Waterfowl Academy held at Mermet Lake Fish and Wildlife Area in Belknap to educate young hunters.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $5,000 to the Alexander County Board of Commissioners to develop a remedial action plan for special flood hazard areas to meet FEMA standards.
  This project was initiated by Daniels.

• $3,000 to the City of Waterloo to initiate a public relations campaign for the Talbott Library.
  This project was initiated by Luechtefeld.

• $2,500 to the Illinois Coalition for Community Services for the East Washington Street Community Center for its summer youth program.
  This project was initiated by Fowler.

Illinois FIRST funds are not part of the state budget's General Revenue Fund. Recently, lagging tax collections brought on by a slowdown in the national economy and the terrorist attacks of September 11 have forced the governor to order spending cuts in the General Revenue Fund that amount to less than 2 percent of total spending. Illinois FIRST monies are derived from separate accounts in the state budget -- the Road Fund and the Fund for Illinois Future -- as well as through the sale of state bonds.