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Federal infrastructure plan is big for Illinois and could get bigger with grants, but state’s 2019 program was more ambitious

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Illinois

* The Bond Buyer’s latest article on Illinois’ share of the new five-year federal capital program…

Competitive grant allocations in the [federal] bill may add to the $17 billion headed Illinois’ way. All 13 Democrats in Illinois’ House delegation voted for the deal while just one of five Republicans joined them.

The package allocates Illinois $1.7 billion over five years for drinking and wastewater infrastructure, $9.8 billion in for federally aided highway projects, $1.4 billion for bridge replacement, $4 billion for public transportation projects, $100 million for broadband expansion and $149 million for an electric vehicle charging network, according to a statement from U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats.

More than $600 million will flow to Illinois for airport improvements over five years, increasing the Airport Improvement Grant Program and creating a new Airport Terminal Improvement Program.

The known funding and potential for more under competitive grant awards could buoy several big ticket items on Chicago’s radar involving the replacement of lead pipes, O’Hare International Airport expansion and the expansion of a major Chicago Transit Authority train line.

* Now, let’s go back in time to this 2019 Bond Buyer story on the state’s six-year $45 billion capital plan…

Transportation-related projects receive $33 billion of funding, state buildings get $4 billion, educational facilities get $3.5 billion, and healthcare, broadband and environmental projects get the remainder.

* Here’s how the state plan allocated money for transportation projects ($33.2 billion)…

• Over $14 billion for new roads in bridges:

o $10.4 billion for state roads and bridges
o $3.9 billion for local governments to rebuild their roads and bridges

• Nearly $11 billion for Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Plan for roads and bridges
• $4.5 billion for mass transit, including the Regional Transportation Authority (CTA, Metra and Pace)
• $1 billion for passenger rail, including Amtrak and other inter-city rail projects
• $558 million for aeronautics
• $492 million for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE)
• $312 million for grade crossing protection
• $150 million for ports
• $679 million for other transportation projects

* State education plan ($3.5 billion)…

• $2.9 billion for higher education, including deferred maintenance and new projects at public universities, private universities and community colleges
• $415 million for preK-12 school maintenance
• $111 million for early childhood education

* State facilities ($4.4 billion)…

• $4 billion for deferred maintenance and new projects at state facilities, such as the decrepit state crime lab
• $350 million for the State Capitol

* State environment/conservation ($1 billion)…

• $867 million for environmental, conservation and recreation projects, including:

o $290 million for hazardous waste
o $110 million for water revolving fund
o $100 million for unsewered communities
o $92 million for ecosystem restoration
o $75 million for park and recreational facility construction
o $40 million for well plugging
o $35 million for land acquisition
o $31 million for flood mitigation
o $29 million for Illinois green infrastructure grants
o $23 million for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development
o $22 million for dam and waterway projects
o $20 million for conservation reserve enhancement

• $140 million for renewable energy projects, including solar and energy efficiency upgrades at state facilities and transportation electrification in low-income communities

* State broadband ($420 million)…

• $400 million for statewide broadband expansion
• $20 million for Illinois Century Network

* Healthcare and human services ($465 million)…

• $200 million for affordable housing
• $200 million for hospital and healthcare transformation
• $50 million for community health centers
• $15 million for human services grant program

* Economic and community development ($1.8 billion)…

• $594 million for community development
• $425 million for economic development
• $401 million for public infrastructure
• $112 million for education and scientific facilities
• $75 million for economically depressed areas
• $51 million for museums
• $50 million for libraries
• $50 million for emerging technology enterprises
• $50 million for the arts
• $25 million for an apprenticeship program
• $15 million for Minority Owned Business Program

The difference is the state should be able to quickly access its annual federal allotments, but we’re still waiting on new casino revenues to help fund “vertical” projects here. Also, that federal water/sewer money dwarfs Illinois’ allocation and we really need the cash.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:17 pm

Comments

It’s so nice to see us invest in ourselves and future on such a grand scale.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:44 pm
== All 13 Democrats in Illinois’ House delegation voted for the deal while just one of five Republicans joined them. ==

And now some House Republicans want to punish the 13 who did vote for the IIJA.

So, for those who still argue there’s no difference between the parties, one party invests in America; the other … doesn’t.

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:48 pm
=And now some House Republicans want to punish the 13 who did vote for the IIJA.=

Not just some Republicans, but one in particular who’s voice still looms large.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-told-gathering-house-republicans-145251988.html

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:21 pm
What I’m really hoping is existing state allocations being used to help us win federal grants, which I think usually require some amount of matching.

Comment by Nick Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:53 pm
=== … such as the decrepit state crime lab … .===

Which crime lab is “decrepit” ??

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:38 pm
=== Not just some Republicans, but one in particular who’s voice still looms large.===
Interesting, since didn’t he run on fixing infrastructure? So fixing infrastructure is bad now?

Comment by Da big bad wolf Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:40 pm