Illinois lawmakers again debating infrastructure program

Allies of Gov. Rod Blagojevich started a full-court press July 9 to approve a statewide infrastructure repair program. At a July 9 special hearing of the full Illinois House, they told legislators that failure to pass the huge plan could leave this year's state budget out of balance, scrap billions in federal matching funds and even risk lives.

"It was not long ago we were reading about the bridge collapse in Minnesota," Tod Faerber, president of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, said, noting that Illinois' bridge system is ranked 30th in the country in terms of stability.

Bridge renovation throughout Illinois is part of the proposed $34 billion infrastructure plan. All year, Blagojevich has attempted to get lawmakers to approve the plan, which would be partially funded with expanded casino gambling and leasing the state lottery to private investors.

Blagojevich ordered the Legislature to return from its summer break to meet for two days, July 9 and 10, in special session to plug an estimated $2 billion gap in the state budget that the Legislature sent to him earlier this year.

Blagojevich is pushing the multiyear infrastructure plan in part as a way of balancing the current year's budget. Most legislators agree that Illinois needs a new statewide infrastructure program, but House leaders have so far this year resisted Blagojevich's plan, protesting the expanded gaming and other aspects.

Some Democrats testifying against the plan said that part of their problem is not with the actual plan, but with the fact that it would be administered by Blagojevich, who has been accused in the past of using state dollars to reward political allies and punish adversaries. The problem, said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, is "having a lump sum in the budget so large and (controlled by) a governor we don't trust."