DOWNSTATE SHARES IN FIRST FUNDING

Downstate counties will share in the latest Illinois First funding for projects in Southern Illinois.

Gov. George H. Ryan has announced that $3.7 million has been released in Illinois First funds for a number of projects in Southern Illinois, including funds to install sidewalks to a senior citizen assisted-living facility in Ullin and a $10,000 grant repair the porch of the historic Thebes Courthouse.

Illinois First is a five-year, $12 billion program designed by Ryan to build, repair and upgrade Illinois' infrastructure.

The primary targets of Illinois First are aging roads and bridges, unfunded highway construction, mass transit systems, aging schools and construction of classroom space in growing school districts.

The program will also be used for upgrades of sewer systems and improvement of quality-of-life projects throughout the state.

Illinois First, which was approved the General Assembly in May 1999, initiated a number of projects, beginning in Fiscal Year 2000.

"The governor is pleased with the program," said Ray Serati, a spokesman from Ryan's office. "It has helped some small communities, and large communities."

One of the newest projects is the grant to Thebes, a small community along the Mississippi River in Southern Illinois. The funds will be used to repair the porch of the historic Thebes Courthouse, a national historic landmark that was built in 1848.

"The porch has been closed to visitors more than year," said Susan Tucker, a member of the Thebes Historical Society. "People who visit the courthouse are so disappointed they can't get on the porch to look out over the town and river."

It was discovered about a year ago that one end of the upper level-porch, which stretches across the entire front of the courthouse, had "slipped," and was lower than the other end. Bill Caldwell, another member of the historical society, looked into the Illinois First program.

Alexander and Pulaski counties will receive about $180,000 in the latest Illinois First allotments, announced last week.

The village of Ullin will receive $30,000 to install sidewalks to a senior citizen's assisted living facility, to install waterlines and fire hydrants in areas of the town that are now currently served by public water lines.

Thebes will receive funding for a couple of projects -- besides the courthouse porch repair, Thebes will get $20,000 to update fire and safety equipment for its fire and police departments.