General funds of $40,000 have been released to the Sycamore Armory for renovation purposes, Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, said.

“The Sycamore Armory has been under a renovation process for the last two or three years,” Countryman said. “The money released by the governor’s office will be used to replace all the armory’s doors, which are badly in need of repair.”

In addition to the armory being renovated, Countryman said that a portion of the area National Guard will now be permanently based in Sycamore, for which Countryman is “very pleased.”

Countryman said that the funds have been released through the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, and is a portion of a funding program set up for similar statewide projects.

Two years ago, the Sycamore Armory received capitol development funds to cover the renovation and replacement costs of the armory’s roofing system and exterior walls, as well as glass replacements.

Countryman has recently begun his third term as state representative to the Illinois House of Representatives, when he was sworm into office Jan. 11.

“Everything starts from scratch once the new term begins,” Countryman said. “So no matter what occurred in the last assembly, the slate is now wiped clean.”

Countryman took the oath of office during ceremonies on the House floor, which marked the opening of the 86th General Assembly. Countryman has served as the 76th District state representative since March 1984.