Capital construction bill a place to start

We can say unquestionably that the $13 billion "capital construction" bill that emerged from the Illinois Senate is, in fact, an improvement over the gridlock that has been in place now for months.

Senate Bill 1110's emphasis on capital projects like road, bridges, school buildings and other areas of transportation is worth commending as well. Less commendation-worthy is the fact that, once again, there are too many projects that may make legislators popular at home but hardly count as necessities when a state is in financial trouble.

The proposal would make it possible for the state to combine the $13 billion with another $12 billion in local and federal money. It would provide $1.9 billion for school construction over three years, with the first $149 million going -- as it should -- to districts that had been promised the matching money in 2001 but were never paid.

The bill includes $4.8 billion over six years for roads, bridges and other construction. In addition, the proposal contains $425 million over three years for public transit capital projects, which would trigger $1.7 billion in federal dollars.

Another $475 million was earmarked for building ethanol and biodiesel plants, outfitting gas stations with E-85 pumps, and supporting energy-efficiency investments by small businesses.

Nothing in that list would raise alarms, but we still don't see the efficiency demands we've said continuously should accompany public transit funding. And there are plenty of reasons taxpayers might demand somebody slash some of the excess from this proposal.

First on the list would no doubt be the $1.7 million for 17 toilets and access sidewalk for the World Shooting Complex in Sparta. Or $57.8 million for a new performing arts center at Western Illinois University. The $14.4 million to renovate the Illinois Supreme Court? Well, that at least qualifies as important state infrastructure that needs to be maintained. Still, lawmakers should wait for better financial times before funding anything beyond the top priorities.

Unfortunately, this proposal feels like every other big project proposal in Illinois in the recent past. Like everybody combined their wish lists and the wish lists of their friends from the last 20 years and then they divvied up the dough behind closed doors. As legislators themselves say, it was put together in a hurry. No change there.

But our transportation systems certainly do need help and this legislation could help, though it is a long way from becoming law, as is the casino expansion that presumably would pay for it all. Thus, it's still possible that all but the necessities could be pared and prioritized.

A good portion of this plan is supportable, but only if the excess goes and more oversight is added, and if the money can be found without bankrupting state businesses and residents.