Illinois Governor Pushing $25 Billion Roads and Schools Capital Plan
A $25 billion capital plan to improve roads, bridges, and schools in Illinois faces an uncertain future in the House after passing the State Senate unanimously Sept. 18. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is pushing for the plan with help from labor and business leaders, said it will yield more than 725,000 jobs statewide.
A $200 loan to the city's transit systems is part of the package; the transit agencies say that is hardly enough, although Blagojevich has promised to seek a long-term funding solution in January, according to reports published by the Chicago Tribune.
The building plan would improve university and school buildings in communities statewide. The bi-partisan crafted legislation also includes $200 million to support mass transit operations in the Chicago area in the year ahead, putting off the threat of fare hikes and service cuts while lawmakers work on a long-term funding solution.