Now, what projects get the transportation funds?

Road projects that affect multiple towns, roadways that reduce residents' drive times and creative ideas would be first in line for new county transportation funds, according to a plan presented Friday.

Members of Kane County's transportation committee got their first look at a draft plan to decide how to spend the county's share of the recent sales tax increase.

Most of the estimated $12 to $15 million will go toward transportation projects, with a small amount going to public safety.

The county approved a program to use some of those funds for a matching grant program for municipalities last month. The transportation committee has to approve a plan for project criteria before those funds are doled out.

Under a draft presented on Friday, projects given priority will follow the county transportation plan, benefit multiple communities and reduce congestion.

Projects would have to be at least a 50/50 match, meaning the county wouldn't pay for a majority of any project.

Towns working together to try to fix regional transportation problems would be a priority as well.

Committee member John Hoscheit said he wanted to make sure the process of getting criteria in place was a quick one.

"I'd prefer this not take a year to get this program together," he said.

The sales tax increase, a half-cent, was passed by the state in the RTA bailout. Half of that goes to the county, half to transit agencies.

The committee will vote on the plan at a future meeting.