TFIC: New IDOT Plan Critical Start for Rebuilding Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- It's been many years since Illinois' transportation industry has had a lot to be proud of. But that all changes today.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers and advocates at Illinois Department of Transportation headquarters in Springfield today to unveil the state's new $23.5 billion Multi-Year Program for transportation projects over the next six years.

The program is doubled thanks to lawmakers' votes last spring for Rebuild Illinois, the new capital construction plan.

This statement from advocacy group TFIC explains why this is an important day for moving Illinois forward:

The Transportation for Illinois Coalition today issued the following statement as Gov. Pritzker announced the state’s first Multi-Year Program under the new Rebuild Illinois capital program.

TFIC is an umbrella organization of business, labor and transportation groups was formed nearly 20 years ago to effectively advocate for infrastructure funding, and it has played a critical role in educating policymakers and advocating for capital construction programs and other funding for the state’s vital transportation system:

“Today is another critical step forward in rebuilding Illinois’ transportation infrastructure and restoring hope for our state’s economic future.

For too many years, the announcement of the Multi-Year Program was greeted with disappointment from our members who saw missed opportunities to move the state forward. As our transportation revenues stagnated, our needs grew exponentially. Today, we have tens of billions of dollars in roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure that needs repaired, replaced and expanded.

It will take time to get our state back on the right track. But we are strongly encouraged by the priorities outlined today by Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation over the next few years:

• $3.7 billion for the Fiscal Year 2020 portion of the program – a massive $1.5 billion increase over the previous year
• $23.5 billion in spending on transportation projects over the next six years – double the size of the previous program and addressing more than 4,200 miles of roads and 9 million square feet of bridge decks

A sincere thank you to the bipartisan group of legislators whose support for the Rebuild Illinois capital program will make a real difference for millions of workers and travelers around our state; to Gov. Pritzker, IDOT and the Pritzker Administration for supporting the program and ensuring it is implemented properly; and to the people of Illinois for providing the needed revenue and their patience while our roads and bridges are under repair in the coming years. Your investment will be well worth it.

Our members are ready to get to work to Rebuild Illinois. The work begins today.”

TFIC Co-Chairs:

Alison Howlett Walters, Executive Director of the Chicago Laborers District Council-LMCC

Kevin Burke, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association

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