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Push for state construction plan isn't building any momentum
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD — State transportation officials and a handful of Illinois lawmakers continued their push Thursday to get a statewide construction plan in place.

But without any new talks on the $34 billion measure, it appears that press conferences being held around the state in recent days are having no effect on breaking the stalemate.

The proposal stalled in the House on May 31 over a number of factors that still haven’t been addressed, said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

Among them are concerns by Chicago that the state wants too big of a share of the proceeds from a new casino that would be located there. In addition, there are worries that leasing the state lottery to raise money for the program would hurt state finances over the long term.

“Somebody has to recognize these huge flaws and address how they want to correct them,” Brown said. “All of the running around and haranguing, I don’t think that’s doing much good.”

On Thursday, a handful of Republican and Democratic lawmakers and top brass from the Illinois Department of Transportation held a press briefing alongside a section of Illinois 29 between Springfield and Taylorville where it narrows from four lanes to two lanes.

Work to widen the road has been under way for years. However, a six-mile stretch remains unfinished.

The statewide construction plan would allow the work to continue.

Until then, IDOT Secretary Milt Sees said, “The public will continue to be inconvenienced and placed at risk.”

“Our potholes are going to get deeper,” added state Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville.

The proposal would provide money for replacing bridges, widening Illinois 29 and U.S. 51 and repairing crumbling schools. Universities also would benefit from money for new buildings.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, a Collinsville Democrat who is a key ally of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said Madigan is playing “petty politics” with the measure by blocking it from coming up for a vote.

“He needs to put aside his personal vindictiveness,” Hoffman said. “Let’s stop this inter-party bickering.”

At the press conference, however, Hoffman offered up no alternatives that would address Madigan’s concerns.

“If the bill is called for a vote … I’m convinced we’ll be able to pass that bill,” Hoffman said.

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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

BigBrother wrote on Jun 20, 2008 1:54 PM:

" Who really believes that the govenor will not divert the funding once it is passed? Route 29 will not be widened and the only projects funded will be in congressional districts tha tare allies of Blagwjevich. Chicago contractors will be given payoff bloated contracts the give the taxpayers about 1/3rd of the value in construction. The rest will be bribe and payoff money in the pockets of the crooks. Until Blago is gone we do not need a construction plan!!! "

Jarhead71 wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:12 PM:

" So how are the talks about halting the impending Legislative and Executive pay raises coming? I bet the Legislature and Execs have that all locked down and provided for by now. They cannot do the State's business, but they can sure not vote on pay raises for themselves, which means that the raises go into effect. I wish I could get a pay raise for NOT doing my job. "
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