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* Press release…
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted more than $15 billion in dedicated funding for Illinois infrastructure projects included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as billions more the state is eligible to compete for. This bipartisan infrastructure deal, which passed the Senate yesterday, would invest approximately $1.2 trillion in federal resources over the next five years, including $567.4 billion in new infrastructure spending and $93.5 billion in additional funding authorizations.
“This Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal makes significant and substantial investments in our public health, global competitiveness and economic prosperity by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, expanding access to critical broadband services for students and working families and upgrading our nation’s water systems,” Duckworth said.“Illinoisans know how critical this funding is to communities all across the state, and I will do everything I can to ensure this compromise is signed into law to support good-paying jobs for hardworking families throughout Illinois.”
“Illinoisans have come to my office for years asking when we’d get around to passing an infrastructure bill. We have finally reached that moment in the Senate. This bipartisan bill makes once-in-a-generation investments in public transit, passenger rail, drinking and waste water, broadband, and roads and bridges. It also expands electric vehicle infrastructure and battery research to help usher in an era of zero-emission vehicles. Illinoisans from Chicago to Cairo will see the tangible impacts of this bill and the jobs it will create,” Durbin said.
Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Illinois could expect:
• Roads and bridges: $9.8 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.4 billion for bridge replacement and repairs. The state will be eligible for billions more in competitive grant programs.
• Public transportation: $4 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state.
• Broadband: A minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 228,000 Illinoisans who currently lack it. 2,926,000 Illinoisans, or 23 percent, will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
• Electric vehicles: $149 million over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the state. Illinois is eligible for $2.5 billion in competitive EV charging grants.The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also fully authorizes Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA), which would help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure, and includes a modified version of her All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act to help make transit stations more accessible.
The list also doesn’t include things like Illinois’ potential share of the $6 billion nuclear power plant bailout included in the legislation.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 11:08 am
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I wonder if all those downstate counties that overwhelmingly voted for Trump will reject the influx of “Biden bucks”?
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 11:25 am
==I wonder if all those downstate counties that overwhelmingly voted for Trump will reject the influx of “Biden bucks”?==
19 Senate Republicans voted for the bill, so no, not “Biden bucks.” Will be interesting to see how Illinois House Republicans vote on it…
Comment by phocion Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 11:32 am
This is fantastic news for all citizens. President Biden has proven his commitment to improving the lives of the working class.
Comment by 33rd Ward Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 11:37 am
I think those are “Taxpayer Bucks”.
Comment by The Magnificent Purple Walnut Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 12:22 pm
The anti-tax trolls coming out to feed. Sadly, things don’t happen without money. Not doing things results in bad things happening. The owners of condos in Champlain Towers South balked at money to fix the building. We saw where that got us. We’ve seen bridge collapses and other failures that have resulted in death and economic disasters.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 12:59 pm
My complaint about the bill is that GOP involvement lead to relying more on debt, fees … rather than making corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:02 pm
It will be interesting to see exactly how this money is spent- hopefully that information will be available to taxpayers.
Hope for the best. We sure could use some improvements in our roads, bridges etc.
Comment by Unconventional wisdom Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:09 pm
If COMED gets a grant to decommission their nukes, any rate increase for decommissioning should be canceled.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:12 pm
=Public transportation: $4 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state=
Does anyone have solid insight on what this will really mean and as to the type of projects?
Comment by Unconventional wisdom Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:17 pm
Who exactly inspects the bridges in Illinois? IDOT or is it left to contractors? How often are they given more then a cursory inspection? If federal funds are available, Illinois should do a thorough inspection of all the bridges on the interstate and other main arteries. Other state’s experiences are not reassuring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8PodEM4Y8g
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:01 pm
=If COMED gets a grant to decommission their nukes, any rate increase for decommissioning should be canceled.=
Decommissioning a power plant has nothing to do with a delivery service rate increase or decrease.
Comment by George Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:25 pm
Illinois has 3.6% of the US population and is a major national transportation hub. 3.6% of $1.2 trillion is $43 billion. Sounds like we’re at least $28 billion short.
Comment by CEA Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:45 pm
$6 billion nuclear power plant bailout???
What exactly does the nuclear power plant need a bailout for that cost $6B?
Comment by M Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 4:21 pm
== Does anyone have solid insight on what this will really mean and as to the type of projects? ==
Improve trains and tracks and Improve airplanes and airports. Improve shipping ports and barges, etc. Set up charging stations for electric vehicles.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 4:25 pm
And replace bad bridges and bad roads.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 4:26 pm
==Who exactly inspects the bridges in Illinois? ==
I.D.O.T. Engineers
Comment by M Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 4:32 pm