Quinn signs bill to provide $1.1 billion for Illinois roads, bridges and highways

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ roads, bridges and highways are going to receive a substantial upgrade in the form of $1.1 billion in increased state investment for transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement.

Sponsored by state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D–Chicago Heights, Senate Bill 3224 was signed by Gov. Pat Quinn today.

Hutchinson said it is a key part of Illinois’ transportation redevelopment project.

“Our state desperately needs the proper resources to improve our transportation infrastructure,” Hutchinson said. “With this law, we can make Illinois known for having one of the safest and most streamlined road systems in the nation.”

Projects waiting for the proper funding across Illinois are finally going to get the go ahead, “from Cairo to Chicago Heights,” the senator said.

The law increases the total general obligation bond authorization by $600 million. The bond authorization increase is kept at the $600 million level, despite the authorized $1.1 billion total increase for transportation, through reducing $500 million of old coal and energy development bonds.