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Senate Bill 895 would amend the Illinois Highway Code and
provide that a county cannot construct, improve or repair a road
or transportation-related project that is outside the county’s
borders.
In some cases, counties enter into an agreement to share duties
and equipment, including snow removal. State Rep. Greg Johnson,
D-Rock Island, said this legislation does not affect those
agreements.
“It prevents counties from becoming private contractors in other
counties and has the work performed by union labor contractors
that exists within those counties,” Johnson said.
During debate on the House floor, state Rep. Martin McLaughlin,
R-Barrington Hills, said Illinois counties know how and where to
spend their tax money and the state shouldn’t get involved.
“Local taxing bodies understand much better what their needs are
than the state of Illinois, so I will have to be a no at this
time, and I would urge a no vote so that local control and
authority still rules the roost when it comes to the best use of
the taxpayer dollar,” McLaughlin said.
The bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly and is
ready to be sent to the governor for his signature.
A recent study by the Reason Foundation found that Illinois
roads, particularly downstate, are in rough shape. The study
ranked Illinois 44th in the condition of rural roads.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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