Lawmakers ready wish lists for construction plan
SPRINGFIELD - Suburban lawmakers are ready with extensive wish lists for their local communities if they're going to vote for a multibillion-dollar state construction plan.
This week Illinois House Democrats have been meeting one-on-one behind closed doors with state Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig to go over their requests. The Daily Herald staked out the meetings and talked to lawmakers about local projects on their way out.
Among the responses, state Rep. Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, would like to see improvements on the bike path near Chicago Street and Grove Avenue.
Farnham said he'd talked directly to Gov. Pat Quinn about the project.
State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, said the construction plan should include $1 billion for statewide rail projects - half for freight, half for passengers - and didn't specify anything for her district.
"I would like to see the process for the capital bill to be about transparency and accountability and not about a political process with individual people trying to get money politically," said Nekritz, chairwoman of the Illinois House Railroad Industry Committee.
State Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia, an Aurora Democrat, said she had a lengthy list of projects but couldn't name them all off the top of her head.
There was a steady stream of Chicago and downstate lawmakers going in to talk project funding with Hannig throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
House staffers told the Daily Herald that Democrats were allowed to go first and the Senate members and Republicans will have their chance later.
Area GOP members said they're getting their lists together.
"It has been so long since we have had a capital bill, we have significant needs," said state Rep. Kay Hatcher, a Yorkville Republican. "My focus is going to be on transportation. Our roads are literally collapsing."
State Rep. Darlene Senger, a Naperville Republican, said she'll request $23 million for projects along Ogden Avenue in order to get money from a deal with Canadian National Railway. "I need the money next week or we may lose the money CN promised," Senger said.
Senger also wants money to widen Eola Road and Route 59 between Ferry Road and New York Street.
In Lake County, state Rep. Sid Mathias wants funding to extend Route 53 into the county. The Buffalo Grove Republican would like to extend Route 53 from Lake-Cook Road to Route 120.
Republican state Rep. JoAnn Osmond said Zion needs additional funding to improve the intersection at Route 173 and Green Bay Road to accommodate the new minor league baseball team that will begin play next summer.
She's also said Lake Villa needs land for a park and the Antioch water treatment plant need finishing money so it can open.
State Rep. Suzie Bassi, a Palatine Republican, said she'll ask for money to repair buildings in her area.
"Like the rest of the state, our roads need help, but every one of our social service agencies need building repair along with both of our school districts," she said.
State Rep. Sandra Pihos, a Glen Ellyn Republican said she is hesitant to list the needs for district because she has seen so many people in her district get their hopes up and then the funding for the projects never pass.