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Senate Republicans form
transportation task force
Group will investigate effects of road raid
on local communities, jobs
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[OCT. 1, 2003]
SPRINGFIELD -- Recognizing that
transportation within our local communities will be impacted by the
recent raid on the state's road fund, the Illinois Senate Republican
Caucus has formed a task force to gather local input on road fund
diversions and their specific impact on communities, on jobs and on
the state economy.
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Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson,
R-Greenville, formed the Senate Republican Task Force on
Transportation to assess the impact of the recent road fund
diversions on transportation within the state and the specific
impact on its many communities.
"I have heard from communities
throughout Illinois on this issue, and many people are concerned
about that diverting these funds will affect local projects in their
communities," said Watson. "The Senate Republican Task Force on
Transportation will look at the diversions and their impact on local
communities to determine exactly what Illinois is sacrificing by
using road fund monies for the general operation of state
government."
Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, will
chair the task force. Other members include Sens. John O. Jones,
R-Mount Vernon; Dale Righter, R-Mattoon; and Dale Risinger,
R-Peoria.
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"Transportation issues are a huge
concern in my district," said Bomke. "I have had questions from
local officials, road commissioners and citizens about whether
certain projects will be funded, about whether dangerous
intersections are still a priority and about where their local
communities stand in terms of receiving funding. Other legislators
have indicated similar questions and complaints from their districts
as well. This task force will give us the opportunity to bring these
concerns into the open and to compare the impact of the road fund
diversion on communities throughout the state."
The task force will have public
hearings and take testimony from local communities, the
transportation industry and state officials to determine the impact
of the road fund diversions.
The first hearing is scheduled in
Springfield on Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Room 212 of the Capitol.
People who wish to testify should call Sen. Bomke's office at
(217) 782-0228 by Oct. 10.
Subsequent hearings will be scheduled
throughout the state this fall.
[News release] |
