Late last week, Governor Pat Quinn announced a $450,000 state investment in Sparta to support critical public works improvements and home rehabilitations for low-income residents.  The announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs while improving the state’s infrastructure and helping those in need.  This targets areas with populations of less than 50,000 that are outside of urban counties.  Most of the money is for work on water and sewer lines, some of it to deal with emergency needs.  The housing component will allow for improvements to 105 single-family homes statewide.  The City of Sparta will receive $450,000 to line and replace sewers.  The total project cost, including local matching funds, is $574,400.