BENTON, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) are proud to announce that the governor's office has released more than $200,000 to help make it safer for children to get to Metropolis Elementary School.

"I'm happy that we can help make sure that the kids in Metropolis get to school safe," Forby said. "Parents shouldn't have to worry when their kids walk or ride bikes to school."

The money, which comes from the Illinois Safe Routes to School program, will allow the school district to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, and signs near Metropolis Elementary School.

"Due to all the damage caused by severe flooding last May, I am very pleased to see funding from the Safe Routes to School program to help aid Metropolis in their rebuilding process," said Phelps. "The children in this state are the future and we need to ensure that they are able to travel to and from school safely so they can receive the best education possible."

Illinois Safe Routes to School is a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The program helps local school districts create safe routes for children to walk and ride bikes to school, encouraging them to start getting healthy exercise at an early age. The program can also help schools and parents save money on gasoline by making it easier and safer for children to get to school on their own, without buses or cars.