Illinois roads need $5 billion annually

Experts have told a bipartisan panel looking at Illinois' crumbling infrastructure that the state must invest at least $5 billion a year in additional funding just to maintain its roads, bridges, transit systems and airports.

The Transportation for Illinois Coalition warned Wednesday time is running out for state legislators to act on a new measure this spring.

The organization sounded the warning before about 250 public officials, transportation heads and business representatives at a DuPage County transportation summit in Naperville.

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Glenn Poshard, president of Southern Illinois University, were appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich to pitch his $25 billion public works program. The General Assembly hasn't enacted a public works program for more than eight years.

Hastert says he is confident that the political gridlock in Springfield that has stalled a public works plan can be broken.