SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Pat Quinn Monday approved $31 billion in construction spending that comes with new taxes and hope from supporters of new jobs and an improved Illinois economy.

Now, local officials who have been waiting for state help for their construction projects for years will wait for the state to send the money their way.

"This is a crucial economic recovery initiative that will generate what's needed most in Illinois: jobs, jobs, jobs," said Quinn said in a statement Monday.

The plan contains hundreds of projects around the state, from upgrades to local schools to major highway plans. Richland Community College in Decatur is one of many waiting for money for one of the projects, a $3.5 million expansion of its Student Success Center.

Richland Vice President of Finances and Administration Greg Florian said news of Quinn's action is greatly appreciated, but that construction won't begin until money begins flowing from the state.

"It may be a while," Florian said.

Illinois State University officials echoed that sentiment. President Al Bowman said the spending plan was "encouraging" news for ISU.

"Given the poor condition of Illinois' economy, it may be quite some time before any capital funds are actually released for use," Bowman said. "Still, the renovation has been a top state capital priority for more than half a decade, and the faculty, staff members, students and visitors who utilize the complex certainly deserve and need the critical upgrade."

Of course, big projects come with a price.

To pay for the construction effort, lawmakers and Quinn raised a number of taxes and fees on Illinoisans. Taxes on liquor, beer and candy will go up in September, and vehicle registration fees will jump by $20 per year.

Also, video poker machines might start popping up in bars across the state in the coming months, a controversial proposal that could make the state lots of money but has drawn scorn from anti-gambling advocates.

In the meantime, local officials will eventually have a chance to tout the fruits of the spending.

Western Illinois University has been waiting for money to expand its Quad Cities campus in Moline. Vice President Joe Rives said Monday said a couple new buildings could go up over the next couple years. And he praised state and local support for the project.

"This really is an exciting time," Rives said.

Southern Illinois University spokesman Dave Gross said the school has already planned its $56 million Transportation Education Center, so they can start construction as soon as the money shows up.

"I think we're a leg up on many of the projects," Gross said.

Quinn spokesman Bob Reed didn't immediately respond to a message asking when the money might begin going out to various projects.

Coming up with a construction plan was a major political difficulty for lawmakers for several years, and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich failed to get one finished during his six years in office.

Monday's signing could be seen as a political victory for Quinn. He otherwise has faced sharp criticism over the problems plaguing the state's annual budget as he's pushed to raise taxes and threatened to deeply cut state services.

"But our job does not end with signing these bills into law," Quinn said. "The General Assembly must pass a balanced budget that makes essential cuts and cost efficiencies, while also providing for our most vulnerable and needy residents."

Related

• Lawmakers may borrow page from Blagojevich era for stopgap budget