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Plan
summary I. Roads -- 140,000 estimated jobs
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Dedicates more than $2.3 billion for critical road projects,
including the U.S. 20 West Freeport Bypass, Illinois Route 336
Macomb Western Bypass, expansion of Illinois Route 29 and U.S. Route
51 in central Illinois, Technology Boulevard in East Peoria, the
widening of Illinois Route 5 in Moline, and Illinois Route 13 in
southern Illinois.
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Provides funding for new bond projects needed to enhance
infrastructure that will support commercial and industrial
expansion, attract investment, and spur economic growth.
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Brings in more than $1.5 billion for key projects identified
in the federal transportation bill.
II. Mass transportation -- 85,000 estimated jobs
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Dedicates $425 million in funding for new mass transit
projects across the state that will better meet the needs of
employers and workers by improving efficiency, reliability and
affordability.
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Matches $1.7 billion in federal funds, allowing Illinois'
mass transportation districts to purchase buses and rail cars;
build train stations, bus garages and rail yards; and
reconstruct commuter rail bridges and elevated rails structures.
III. School construction -- 7,000 estimated jobs
- Dedicates $500 million in funding for the School Construction
Program, building new schools across the state to continue reducing
class size, enhancing academic resources and improving the quality
of education Illinois students receive.
- Makes $350 million available for new grants to fund elementary and
secondary school construction.
- Provides $149 million to meet previous state commitment.
* * *
"I'm asking the men and women of the General Assembly to pass a
jobs bill," Blagojevich said at the Rockford event. "A jobs bill that would build new
roads, improve our mass transit, build new schools -- a jobs bill
that would create 230,000 new jobs all across our state. A bill that
means opportunity for hardworking, decent, honest people who are
just trying to get ahead and raise their families. Supporting this
bill should be easy. I'm not asking the legislature to approve any
new revenues. I'm not even asking them to take a hard vote. I'm just
asking them to say yes. Say yes to 230,000 new jobs. Say yes to
better roads in Rockford. Say yes to the Rock River Valley. Say yes
to our future."
The following are regional projects that would be funded under
the
capital bill:
Illinois 2 North Main -- north side of Rockford -- $40 million
The Illinois 2 North Main improvements will be completed in two
segments. The southern segment will be the expansion from Auburn
Street to Riverside Boulevard. The work in this segment will include
additional lanes, intersection improvements and the construction of
a modern roundabout at the Auburn Street intersection. The northern
segment, which is 2.51 miles, is from Elmwood Road to Latham Road.
This segment will consist of additional lanes, intersection
improvements, new structures and a new interchange at Latham Road.
Illinois 2 South Main -- Rockford -- $12 million
Illinois 2 South Main -- Beltline to Clifton -- Begins at the
intersection of Illinois 2 and Beltline Road and continues north to
just south of Clifton Avenue, southwest of Rockford, for a total of
2.62 miles. The improvements consist of widening and resurfacing,
constructing a bidirectional left turn lane, curb and gutter, storm
sewer, and bridge rehabilitation.
Illinois 2 South Main -- Michigan to Cedar -- Begins at the
intersection of Illinois 2 and Michigan Avenue and continues to
Cedar Street, southwest of Rockford, for a total of 1.2 miles. The
improvements include widening and resurfacing, constructing a
bidirectional left turn lane, curb and gutter, and storm sewer.
[to top of second column] |
 Illinois 173 Corridor Project -- from Illinois 251 to Interstate
90 at the Boone County line
-- $35 million
This project begins at the intersection of Illinois 173 and
Illinois 251 and continues to the Boone County line, for a total of
4.69 miles. The improvements include additional lanes, resurfacing,
constructing turning lanes, and changes to traffic signal timing and
progression.
Illinois 173 at Illinois 251 -- $5 million
This project consists of intersection reconstruction at the
intersection of Illinois 173 and Illinois 251 in Machesney Park.
U.S. 20 -- West Freeport Bypass -- $20.5 million
Pre-construction activity for this project on U.S. 20 begins at
the intersection of U.S. 20 and U.S. 20 Business Route, west of
Freeport, and ends just west of the intersection of U.S. 20 and
Illinois 26, north of Freeport, for a total of 4.01 miles.
"We must come together to pass this capital bill that will build
better roads here and ensure that Rockford and the entire region
continues to grow and create more jobs," said state Rep. Charles
Jefferson, D-Rockford. "This has been a good year for the regional
economy. The expansion of Chrysler in Belvidere and the new Lowe's
facility is bringing thousands of new jobs here, but Governor
Blagojevich and I have an easy way to bring thousands more. This
isn't about politics. This is about what is right for the people of
Rockford."
"Everybody must understand that the time to pass this capital
bill is right now," said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. "We must
continue making the kinds of infrastructure investments that will
encourage even more economic development and more jobs for Rockford
and the regional economy. I fully support Governor Blagojevich and
the legislative leadership in Springfield in their efforts to reach
an agreement. The time is now to get this deal done, and I will do
whatever I can to help make it happen."
"In just a few weeks, this bill is going to come up for a vote,"
Blagojevich added. "Now let's be clear. Every session, hundreds of
bills come up for votes. But where you stand on our jobs bill isn't
just another vote. It's a statement. It's a statement on whether you
believe in the future of this community. It's a statement on whether
you believe in the future of this state. I know I do. I know
Representative Jefferson and Mayor Morrissey do. We can pass this
bill. We can improve North and South Main. We can create jobs. We
can create opportunity for hardworking families. We just need our
legislators to say yes."
About Opportunity Returns
Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development
strategy is the most comprehensive approach to creating jobs in
Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic
development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the state
into 10 regions, each with a regional team that is empowered and
expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.
Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make
each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial
and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills
of the local work force, increasing the access to capital, opening
new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining
jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with
companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of
Illinois reach its economic potential.
[News release]
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