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For Immediate Release
Currently, 55 percent of the funding comes to downstate Illinois, while 45 percent goes to six counties up north. Rep.Tracy is opposing any attempts to alter the current percentages, which would take away funding used for the upkeep and repair of downstate Illinois roads. "We have 81 percent of the state's roadways and 78 percent of the state's bridges outside of the six counties in Northern Illinois that would benefit from this proposal," Rep. Tracy said. "It is just common sense that road funds have got to go to where the roads and bridges are." The State is currently divided into nine highway districts. District One encompasses Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, and Will counties. All other downstate counties are divided into Districts Two through Nine. Highway Districts Two through Nine, representing downstate Illinois, include more than 13,300 miles of highways compared to 3,000 miles in District One. House Resolution 245 urges the Governor, Department of Transportation, and the General Assembly to keep the funding percentages at their current levels. Additionally, the resolution stresses that any funding stemming from a capitol construction plan should also be distributed along the previously established percentages. "The current funding percentages have been in place for nearly 20 years, there is no feasible reason to change things now," Rep. Tracy said. "Highways in downstate Illinois serve as a vital link to our neighboring states, allowing Illinois to maintain its economy and level of commerce. To do anything, in our current financial crisis, to jeopardize the quality of our highways would be foolish." |
