Illinois governor signs $45 billion state construction bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed into law a plan that will pour $45 billion into state construction projects to build and upgrade roads, bridges, parks and schools — and will require drivers, smokers and gamblers to pick up the tab.

Pritzker called it the "most comprehensive reconstruction effort" in the state's history.

"Together we passed the largest, most robust capital plan in this state's history," said Pritzker, whose office says the plan will create 540,000 jobs. "We're investing $45 billion over 6 years to fix what's broken and repair what's needed."

Illinois' first statewide capital plan in 10 years will include spending on everything from an expansion of high-speed broadband internet to sewage system development. The bulk of the money — $33.2 billion — will be spent on transportation projects. An additional $4.3 billion will be spent on state facilities, $3.5 billion on education projects and $1.2 billion on environmental projects.

Read more: https://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/illinois-governor-signs-billion-state-construction-bill/article_2c63c74c-0c48-5edd-aed4-c40aae901e8c.html
(Northwest Indiana Times)