* From the Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association…
The regular session of the Illinois General Assembly ended on May 31 without the legislature passing a budget for IDOT or any other state agencies. Without a budget, IDOT does not have the authority to pay contractors, which potentially could lead to a suspension of construction activity statewide on June 30, the end of the state fiscal year. This suspension would also impact all engineering contracts and other IDOT and local agency spending.
The Department is scheduling a call with industry representatives for early next week to discuss the ramifications of the budget impasse and how it affects construction projects. While the industry continues to focus on increased funding for our transportation system, the immediate issue to be resolved is the approval of IDOT’s budget so that the important work the construction and engineering industry is doing is allowed to continue without interruption.
- doggonit - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
I sincerely hope that the legislature doesn’t approve idots budget until we get a real, full state budget. If gov had just shut down 2 years ago this would have long since ended.
- JPC - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:01 pm:
Sadly, all of that meeting and figuring out what to do with no money is time out of doing efficient work (like road building).
- JPC - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
This is also evidence again that the thrifty person pays the most. You want to pay less for stuff, there’s an app for that–win statewide election and then control more than minorities in both houses. Forcing savings in this way costs 2 mil a day in late fees and untold sums in other kinds of damage.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:11 pm:
How are those hundreds of manufacturers the governor has lined up going to get here without roads?
And some of the people, all of the time, think this guy gives a hoot about jobs and economic growth. He’s a reactionary zealot with money feeding a personal vendetta, at the expense of everyone.
- cdog - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
It’s after 4pm, the 9th of June.
Anybody spot Madigan? Is he working hard on a balanced budget in a secret bunker somewhere?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:19 pm:
- cdog -
Did you call the Ward Office, you had all day!
- joe - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:19 pm:
Has IDOT had a separate appropriated budget with spending authority the last two years? Why is it different now?
- 95th Resident - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
IDOT was fully funded last year as part of stopgap
- Anon - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
I know its summer when IDOT is told to start working on project shutdown plans.
- Casual observer - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
What happened to the lockbox amendments? IDOT has the money in the bank but no authority to spend it?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
===but no authority to spend it? ===
You ever heard of an appropriation?
- joe - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
Thank you
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
===The Ward Office at ground zero, where corruption comes to roost? Home of the Madigoons!===
I heard the heavy breathing all the way in Kendall County!
I do think they serve donuts on Saturday… oh and coffee, lots of coffee. Apple Fritters on Monday morning starts the week off right. Chuck Goudie went on a Wednesday so he missed all the eats…
- asASDcf - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
In related news, the Lottery Players Association scheduled a press conference to announce its support for appropriation authority to pay winners.
- Casual observer - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:30 pm:
Sorry for my naïveté Rich. That seems to go against the spirit of the amendment to ensure road projects are funded.
- cdog - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:32 pm:
OW, LOL
It’s on the list! I’m on a 24 hr countdown to fly west; been herding cats all day!
I was hoping Madigan would do a presser and explain when his budget was going to be done.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
===ensure road projects are funded. ===
The spirit was to make sure road funds weren’t raided, but they’ve already found a way around that, too. lol
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 9, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
- cdog -
Safe travels, have a good trip. Nothing is worse than preparing to go on a trip with long checklists.
Email me your questions, if Madugan has a presser I’ll ask them for you.