Deerfield Road Construction Shut Down Over State Budget Impasse

Deerfield, IL—Work on the Deerfield Road Reconstruction Project will stop June 30 after the village learned Tuesday that the state will no longer have the authority to pay contractors on the project.

The construction shutdown comes as the state closes in on going nearly a year without a budget. Without a budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation cannot pay contractors, a village press release stated.

The Deerfield Road Reconstruction Project involves resurfacing and rebuilding a 2.39-mile stretch of the road from Deerfield's Metra viaduct to Route 41 in Highland Park, and it began in February. About $16 million of the $18 million project was being paid for through a combination of federal, state and county programs, according to the village.

But that's on hold now.

"It is unknown at this time when the Governor’s Office will be able to pass a State budget, and this is having a real impact on our Village," the release stated. "The Village will continue to strongly urge the Governor to address this matter so that Federal funds can pass through the State and contractors can continue to work on State-awarded construction projects."

As of May 19, construction on the road was 19 percent complete, according to the project's website. In the meantime, the contractors and the village will make sure the construction area is safe during the shutdown, the release stated.

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Get News Alerts, Join Facebook Pages and Learn About Patch
• Learn how to create a Patch user account
• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Live Traffic and Transit Updates