Gov. Quinn Nixes $3M Grant to Expand Divvy Bikes

Gov. Pat Quinn put the brakes on a grant proposal to expand Chicago’s shared bike program, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.

The denial of adding more Divvy bikes is the latest in a series of blows to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced $33 million in grants under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The city requested the money to add 75 docking stations for the shared bike program, which would have extended Divvy bikes’ reach into Evanston and Oak Park.

The denial comes on the heels of another recent sparring between the governor and Chicago mayor over a $750 million property tax hike to cover the city’s unfunded pension liabilities. The Illinois General Assembly passed the bill on April 8, which sits on Quinn’s desk awaiting his signature.

Lowering property tax bills is a key issue in Quinn’s reelection campaign.

Read the rest of the report in Crain’s Chicago’s Business