* Greg Bishop at the Center Square spent some time crunching numbers…
Despite being in the minority party, Illinois House Republicans are getting more infrastructure money for roads and bridges than majority Democrats, according to an analysis of the newly released multi-year $23.5 billion plan.
The district of Elwood Democratic state Rep. Larry Walsh Jr. is set to get the most capital money of all House members, at $1.52 billion. The second most, $1.1 billion, is headed for the district of Morris Republican state Rep. David Welter.
House Democrats will get $9.9 billion combined while House Republicans, who are in the super minority, will get a combined $12.1 billion.
Welter said a likely reason was that Republicans have larger districts with more miles of road. He said the spending breakdown was a good sign the spending plan was fair.
“I think when you have a large capital bill like this there are going to be things in it that were probably put in it due to political influence, obviously, but I think that’s a good sign at least that hopefully it’s been diverted to where the largest needs were,” Welter said.
The House has 74 Democrats, but one isn’t getting any new IDOT spending…
The one district not getting any money is represented by Naperville Democratic state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray. The page for her district spending doesn’t have any breakdown. Instead, it says: “No projects were planned for this legislative district for the current Proposed Six Year Highway Improvement Program.”
Stava-Murray didn’t return messages seeking comment. IDOT said road construction projects in that district were already underway.
“The only interstates are under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Tollway, which is separate from IDOT and not part of our agency’s multi-year planning process,” Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell said. “There are just two IDOT routes in House District 81 and pretty small stretches at that: Illinois 53 and U.S. 34. Both of these are currently under construction. U.S. 34 from Ivanhoe Avenue to Kingery Avenue is being resurfaced this year and next. Illinois 53 from south of I-88 to 59th Street also is being resurfaced, with work wrapping up later this fall.”
* OK, so the House Democrats are receiving $9.9 billion, which works out to an average of $133.7 million per district (including Stava-Murray’s district, which actually receives nothing). Republicans are receiving $12.1 billion for 44 districts, which is an average of $275 million per district.
Discuss.
…Adding… From comments…
I’d really like to hear from Eastern bloc members to get their take on this.
Greg quoted him the other day…
To those who criticize lawmakers who voted against the tax increases to pay for infrastructure with their districts set to get more than a billion dollars, state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said even those who vote “no” have to pay increased taxes.
“The bill passed, I voted no, but we still have citizens that are paying the gas tax,” Hallbrooke said. “They should be the recipients of these improvement projects.”
Halbrook’s legislative districts gets $208.7 million, according to an individual district breakout for House Dist. 102.
- former will county resident - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:32 pm:
Rep. Walsh’s district has the stretch of I-80 that’s being widened, including the bridge that desperately needs repair, so that make’s sense that his has the most. Welter’s district is the neighboring district and might have a part of that same I-80 project. But I gotta figure the main reason is the general size of rural/R districts vs smaller suburban/urban/D districts
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:33 pm:
=== The one district not getting any money is represented by Naperville Democratic state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray. The page for her district spending doesn’t have any breakdown. Instead, it says: “No projects were planned for this legislative district for the current Proposed Six Year Highway Improvement Program.”===
Good thing she’s running for US Senate… oh, wait…
That Ms. Stava-Murray, always teaching… lol
- Merica - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
elections don’t have consequences
so each downstate resident gets $3,000 and each cook county resident gets $1,000.
can Chicago at least get a “thank-you”
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:37 pm:
Not mad about it, but maybe should be, because tax hater districts screaming for cuts again get more tax benefits than Democratic districts. This looks good for Pritzker and pro-capital Bill Republicans, at re-election time.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:39 pm:
The 51st state, the “Magnificent 7”, the angry, white, old, rural…
… they still won’t be happy.
This is why they are the minority in the GA, but still get to get the goodies… cause good governing ignores fools when what’s best for the state is involved.
The flip side?
Ms. Stava-Murray.
Politics and governing lead to different outcomes. Some crazy to the truth.
- Downstate Illinois - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:40 pm:
This is why it was worth the yes vote for those few downstate lawmakers who supported the infrastructure bill. We needed the investment. Paying for it just comes part of the package.
As to the above comment about city folks. Keep in mind they don’t drive as much and thus don’t pay such a large amount of the gas tax.
- Discuss - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:46 pm:
Pritzker left many Rauner republicans in critical policy making jobs while loyal democrats who worked on the campaign were shut out.
Now Pritzker is giving republicans more money for infrastructure when democratic districts and their constituents are in as much or greater need.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:58 pm:
I’d really like to hear from Eastern bloc members to get their take on this.
- Soo... - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:59 pm:
“We needed the investment. Paying for it just comes part of the package.”
Please repeat that so Rep. Parkhurst can hear you.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:02 pm:
=== Please repeat that so Rep. Parkhurst can hear you====
The phony aspect of who Ms. Parkhurst is plays into the narrative of…
“Be angry, seem thoughtless, take credit for others lift, write a press release”
It’s embarrassing, but… speaks volumes.
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:06 pm:
the link to the list?
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:23 pm:
Looks like things are going well for the GOP solons under JB.
- Hyperbolic Chamber - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
This speaks volumes to the basis that IDOT (and, by extension, Gov. Pritzker) used to distribute road monies: need. One of the biggest recipients of $ this year will be District 7 - the home of most every Eastern Bloc legislator. The Dems’ $ will increase significantly when transit spending is released because only 10% of transit money goes downstate.
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:26 pm:
Spending by region is more important than spending by district. Most of the large construction companies that will get these contracts are based in the Chicago area. Making funding decisions based on equitable spending across legislative districts is a bad way to allocate funding.
- phocion - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:26 pm:
==As to the above comment about city folks. Keep in mind they don’t drive as much and thus don’t pay such a large amount of the gas tax.==
Downstate Illinois, I really hope you were just trying to sound like an imbecile to get a laugh.
Here are a few fun facts you may want to consider:
Illinois population - 12,741,080
Chicago metropolitan area population - 9,729,825
Vehicles registered in Illinois 10.4 million
Passenger vehicles registered in Illinois 9.73 million
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:36 pm:
The spending may have been more dependent on where and how Friends of Sandoval could cash the biggest checks rather than input from legislators.
- Stormfield - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:39 pm:
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index
Link to the list; by district is under “specialized breakouts” under the “Lists” tab.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:41 pm:
“Illinois is spending over $23 Billion to fix roads and bridges across the state. How much did Anne Stava-Murray bring home? Zero.”
The primary and general election ads write themselves.
- frustrated GOP - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:42 pm:
So the capital work might actually be for the areas that need it and not just because its political? What a concept. Haven’t seen a Republican or a Democratic bridge or road yet, just ones falling apart.
- downstate-libertarian - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:47 pm:
Muh roads… To break it down by spending in districts is a bit of logical misleading. Most Republican districts are downstate. Looking south of I-80, there are is plenty more mileage of roads than what is found in the collar counties and the City of Chicago. With that being said, this is another conclusion as to why they are getting all of that money. Most of the Republicans voted ‘no’ to most of the landmark legislation that occurred in May. Could this be an attempt to reach across the aisle? I don’t know.
Many of these major projects were promised 30+ years ago. Just look up the Corridor 67 project for instance. The funding for that was stolen nearly 20 years ago and by stolen, it was earmarked and then suddenly the money evaporated and West Central Illinois has been waiting ever since for the completion.
Meanwhile, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, and Indiana continuously have griped about the unease of intrastate commerce through Illinois. First it was speed limits and then secondly it was the poor roads. I’m not holding my breath that any of these projects happen, especially since the 5 year fiscal outlook is so poor - per the governor’s office yesterday.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:49 pm:
Is it okay that I am not all upset about this? I drive all around Illinois, and I’m happy when potholes don’t destroy my car.
And I think it’s probably true that the average driver in a GOP district probably drives more miles than the average person in Cook County. I mean, I have a car, but I don’t commute with it. And I’m basically within walking distance of just about every place I go regularly.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:51 pm:
=== Haven’t seen a Republican or a Democratic bridge or road yet, just ones falling apart.===
Well said.
Ms. Parkhurst sees “Democrat money” to help her steal credit for something she voted Red for, cowardly.
- Who else - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:57 pm:
Given that my car doesn’t notice when it drives into a district represented by a republican vs. a democrat, I’m good with paving the roads and fixing the bridges regardless of party affiliation. A flat tire is a flat tire no matter whose district you’re in.
- Left Leaner - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:05 pm:
Waiting for the Eastern Bloc’s spin in 3…2…
- ike - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
Let’s see how many Republicans that complain about spending and the need for budget cuts, spend every penny they get from this without blinking an eye.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:14 pm:
Let’s see if a “51st state” can match these funds…
LOL
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:45 pm:
=Looking south of I-80, there are is plenty more mileage of roads than what is found in the collar counties and the City of Chicago. =
Umm, no. Maybe interstate mileage, but total hard surface roads mileage it isn’t even close. Metro Chicago is more densely paved than downstate.
=Keep in mind they don’t drive as much and thus don’t pay such a large amount of the gas tax.=
Another omnibus of wrongness. Gas prices are higher in Chicago/metro thus more tax paid per gallon, and of course there is the 9:1 population ration metro compared to down state.
Chicago isn’t Manhattan where nobody owns a car, many city dwellers are part of the massive reverse commute and drive to the suburbs for work.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:01 pm:
=Umm, no. Maybe interstate mileage, but total hard surface roads mileage it isn’t even close. Metro Chicago is more densely paved than downstate.=
According to the road plan, District 1 (Cook and Collars) contains 2,720 miles of state roads. The rest of the districts total 13,188 miles.
Those are the roads that the spending discussed in the story is for.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
=Another omnibus of wrongness. Gas prices are higher in Chicago/metro thus more tax paid per gallon, and of course there is the 9:1 population ration metro compared to down state.=
Gas taxes are a set rate per gallon, regardless of price. That’s what goes to the road funds.
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:04 pm:
thank you Stormfield.
- farandwide - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:48 pm:
It’s important to note here that the multi-year program (MYP) announced did not investments in public transit, only roads and bridges. It’s highly likely that the additional revenue generated for Transit/Freight Rail investments in which was included in capital bill will likely be heavily in Chicago’s favor. When those are announced these numbers may come together a bit.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 4:07 pm:
Does this report include state spending on transit in IDOT’s Region 1?
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 4:31 pm:
What farandwide said.
- anon2 - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 4:55 pm:
=== And I think it’s probably true that the average driver in a GOP district probably drives more miles than the average person in Cook County.==
Most suburbanites have to drive. Though their trips may be shorter than for rural downstater, suburbanites spend more time in rush hour traffic jams than their rural counterparts.
- Woody - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 10:55 pm:
When I worked in the transportation field in the 90s, about 65percent of monies for the Road Fund was generated in the six county NE Illinois area but received only 45 percent of the construction monies.