Lake County to press state for transportation cash

Lake County leaders plan to aggressively push state lawmakers to fashion a capital bill that would include billions of dollars for highway and other transportation improvements.

"This is a huge issue, and the county is expecting leadership from us," said Diana O'Kelly, chairman of the county board's public works and transportation committee.

The committee on Wednesday recommended the county board approve a resolution calling for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the General Assembly to approve a capital bill to fund transit and highway needs throughout the state and in the area.

Such a plan has been in legislative limbo. Lawmakers have been unable to reach consensus on how to fund a proposed $34 billion spending program.

O'Kelly and others said county and municipal leaders have united on a list of major projects to pursue with such funds in Lake County and are asking lawmakers to do the same on the capital bill.

Illinois also could potentially lose billions in federal money for regional projects if the state doesn't provide matching funds through a capital bill.

"The public is unaware we are in jeopardy," O'Kelly said.

Municipalities, townships and others would be asked to approve the same resolution as a message to lawmakers. Whether it would have any impact was open to debate.

"You can pass it. Does it mean anything? Absolutely not," said County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt.

Schmidt, who has been at the forefront of transportation issues, says lawmakers will act when they are ready regardless of local pressure.

A resolution supporting whatever funding mechanism is created to pay for the program may make them take notice but would come with an unknown price, she added.

"The whole world supports a capital bill," Schmidt said. Are you prepared to come out and say, 'We support whatever (funding) mechanism you choose?' " Be careful what you ask for."

As written, the resolution asks that the capital bill have "a revenue source that is reliable and sustainable."

Gaming expansion and leasing the lottery were possible revenue sources, but movement ceased earlier this month after House Speaker Michael Madigan questioned the governor's word on how the money would be spent. Other Democrats refused to rush through such a massive program.