Suburban officials say construction delays would cause problems

Warrenville has been waiting for Butterfield Road to be widened for decades, as big development opportunities await once traffic flows more smoothly, Mayor David Brummel says.

Now, with the work finally under way and a possible completion in 2012, officials hope it can be used as a selling point to attract businesses into the area.

Unless, of course, the work is stopped.

That’s one option Gov. Pat Quinn says he’ll have to use for that project and many more around the suburbs and across the state if lawmakers can’t agree on legislation to continue funding Illinois construction projects.

That could push completion of some projects, such as the Butterfield Road widening, into another year, extending road-construction traffic hassles and delaying the local economic benefits.

“Once you start a project like this, it’s in everybody’s best interest to finish it quickly,” Brummel said. “They’re out moving dirt around, making a huge mess. And now to see that halted would be disappointing.”

Officials in Algonquin feel the same way, where a bypass in the works for years could stall if lawmakers don’t act soon. The bypass could free up the major traffic congestion at the intersection of Routes 62 and 31.

Crews are already doing demolition, said Algonquin Village Manager Bill Ganek, and delays wouldn’t just cause the village headaches.

“I think it causes the region problems,” he said.

“To get this close and possibly delay it is very, very discouraging,” Ganek said.

The possible delays are a result of budget gamesmanship in Springfield, tying up approval of annual construction spending. Senate Democrats added $430 million in schools and human services spending to the construction plan, causing protests from House lawmakers. They declined, in tough budget times, to approve spending on the projects with the additional money tacked on.

Now, Quinn is faced with a fiscal year starting July 1 without spending authority for construction projects. He’s asked lawmakers — unofficially so far — to return to Springfield this month and approve the money.

Some lawmakers, including Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine, have argued Quinn is being too dramatic and doesn’t have to cease the construction projects immediately. The Republican budget point man argues Quinn can keep workers on the job via part of the law that allows the state to pay old bills for the next six months even without a budget in place.

Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s office, though, isn’t sure that’s legal. Spokesman Brad Hahn said they’re asking their attorneys for an opinion.

But Topinka urged lawmakers and Quinn to come to an agreement soon so the projects can continue.

“You can’t just shut that down,” Hahn said.

Legally, Quinn could, said Charles N. Wheeler III, a longtime budget observer and director of the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Wheeler said that the issue is legally muddy, and he thinks it could be possible for some projects to continue. But it’s ultimately up to Quinn, who controls the contracts, Wheeler said.

“If he decides to stop things, he can,” he said.

So could the Illinois Supreme Court, which is considering a case from Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz. Wirtz sued to stop the original law authorizing the projects, as well as the taxes and fees used to pay for them. He argues the fees were approved improperly.

Local officials agree with Quinn that an interruption in construction projects would be a bad scenario.

Leaders haven’t yet decided when — or if — lawmakers would return to Springfield.

Quinn’s administration estimates 52,000 jobs are at stake statewide.

“This would not be good,” Brummel said.