Ryan seeks $160 million for security

WASHINGTON -- Illinois could use about $160 million in federal aid to boost its homeland security, according to a wish list Gov. George Ryan's office has presented to the state's congressional delegation.

Requested items include everything from $21.6 million for a mock "ground zero" terrorism disaster training site to $14.7 million for a new state emergency operations center in Springfield.

George Hovanec, the governor's deputy budget director, said the federal funding being sought would be used to supplement $17 million Ryan is also seeking from the General Assembly for homeland security needs.

The proposed new emergency operations center would be funded by the federal government under the plan.

"The one we have simply isn't adequate in terms of size," said Mike Chamness, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. "When other agencies are brought in we simply run out of room."

Among possible sites for the terrorism training center that would focus on the needs of those first called to a disaster, he said, is a former naval air station in the northern Chicago suburb of Glenview.

Chamness said another possibility is that a private facility might build a training center and donate it to the state, but he declined to provide further information.

Rep. William Lipinski, D-Chicago, said Monday it was still too early to tell what might happen to Ryan's wish list.