Ryan: $3.1 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for DuPage County

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $3.160 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in DuPage County, including $1.4 million to the Village of Brookfield for street and sewer infrastructure improvements.

The new storm sewers will be placed in an area of the community, Grant and Southview, Monroe and Garfield, where sanitary sewer backups into basements have plagued the residents for more than 50 years. The village is contributing $598,700.

This Illinois FIRST was initiated by State Rep. William A. O'Connor, R-Berwyn.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $1 million to Bloomingdale Park District to construct a full-size gymnasium at Westfield Junior High School, Bloomingdale. The school district is contributing $400,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Doris C. Karpiel, R-Roselle and Senate President James Pate Philip, R-Wood Dale.

• $375,000 to Alfred Campanelli YMCA to construct a senior/teen center.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Kathleen L. Wojcik, R-Schaumburg.

• $60,000 to the Village of Willowbrook to improve drainage at the intersection of 59th Street in Clarendon Hills.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Patricia R. Bellock, R-Westmont.

• $50,000 to Roosevelt University to implement a Government Resource Center at Roosevelt University's Robin Campus in Schaumburg.
  This project was initiated by Wojcik.

• $50,000 to Bensenville Community Library to create a "lifelong learning center" garden/courtyard. $25,000 will be contributed through donations.
  This project was initiated by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

• $50,000 to the Village of LaGrange Park to purchase an ambulance. The village is contributing $72,000.
  This project was initiated by O'Connor.

• $50,000 to Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation, Wheaton to help construct a new center. The city is contributing $50,000.
  This project was initiated by Thomas L. Johnson, R-West Chicago.

• $50,000 to Misericordia, Chicago to renovate a section of an existing building to accommodate 18 children who are mentally disabled and non-ambulatory. $298,293 will be contributed through locally raised funds.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. James B. Durkin, R-Westchester.

• $30,000 to West Central Municipal Conference to implement a regional technology initiative.
  This project was initiated by Durkin.

• $25,000 to the Village of Darien to purchase equipment for the police department.
  This project was initiated by Bellock.

• $15,000 to Little Friends, Naperville to purchase a van and make improvements to four homes for developmentally disabled adults. The city is contributing $18,915.
  This project was initiated by Bellock.

• $5,000 to the Clarence Foundation, Darien to purchase two service dogs for use by the blind.
  This project was initiated by Bellock.