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House Republicans Unveil Rebuilding and Investing in Illinois Capital Plan For Immediate Release: February 18, 2007 Springfield, IL… Citing the need for better roads, schools and economic growth and jobs throughout Illinois, House Republicans today unveiled a fiscally responsible capital plan. Rebuilding and Investing in Illinois is a $5 billion investment in Illinois infrastructure including roads, schools and mass transit. “The State of Illinois is responsible for maintaining and improving our roadways and schools,” said Cross. “It has been seven years since we made a major investment in our infrastructure. We believe the plan we are putting forth today is reasonable and responsible.” Each year 1000 miles of Illinois roads and 150 to 200 bridges will be in need of serious repair. Rebuilding and Investing in Illinois will invest $3 billion to improve Illinois roads and mass transit, $1.5 billion for school construction and $500 million for universities and community colleges. “With the amount of traffic on some of these roadways there is just no way that they can continue to be used in a safe manner in the condition they are presently in,” said Representative Jim Watson. “Corridor 67 needs the additional funding necessary to continue the expansion to four lanes from Macomb to Jacksonville and Jacksonville down to St. Louis, and this is the most feasible plan presented to do so. This road project is vital to the economic growth of my district and Western Illinois as a whole.” State Representatives Jill Tracy and Rich Myers also have ongoing road projects that are presenting safety concerns in their area. “Route 336 from Quincy to Macomb is currently under construction and in the process of being widened, but we still do not have the proper funding necessary to finish the project,” said Representative Tracy. “The economic benefits from the completion of 336 and Route 67 can not be stated enough. Better roads means better safety and economic growth for our area.” “While much of Route 336 from Quincy to Macomb has been completed,” said Myers. “We need to make certain that we allocate the monies needed for the next phase from Macomb to Peoria,” -more- “US 34 has become an increasingly traveled road for many of the people of this area. With the amount of travelers and the number of semis using this roadway safety concerns have began to grow. It is our duty as legislators to make sure everyone on these roadways is traveling in the safest manner possible. We need to ensure there is funding in order to complete these projects,” Rep. Rich Myers said. - State Representative Myers is also very pleased with the amount of money this project will contribute to the State Universities. “Our enrollment at Western Illinois University has been growing over the past years and we have a number of new projects we would like to start, but as of now we just do not have the proper funding to complete these projects. One particular project that has been held up in recent years is the building of a new Performing Arts Center. This additional funding will hopefully give us the opportunity to complete this project and continue to expand the university and meet the growing needs of the students,” stated Myers. Rebuilding and Investing in Illinois is expected to generate around $500 million new dollars by allowing existing Illinois gaming boats to purchase additional gaming positions. Under the House Republican plan, a total of 5000 new positions would be available for purchase by the four suburban gaming boats, and another 1,000 positions would be available for purchase downstate. The increased gaming positions are also expected to generate annual additional revenues for the state of around $450 million. “Gaming is here in Illinois and it is not going away. The bottom line is if we don’t capitalize on the revenue generated and the jobs created our neighboring states will. We have an opportunity to invest this money in our future - in our children’s education, and our growing transportation needs. Our plan is the only plan in recent years with a clearly defined, dedicated revenue source that won’t dig our children and grandchildren deeper in debt,” said State Representative Brent Hassert. |
