State construction bill includes more than roads, schools

SPRINGFIELD -- Roads, schools and bridges. It has become a common refrain at the state Capitol, as officials describe projects that could be built with a long-delayed construction program.

But the roughly $13 billion "capital construction" proposal passed recently by the Senate would do much more than provide cash for those three categories.

An Associated Press review found hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for civic center upgrades, new performing arts centers and other facilities at state universities. There's money for renovations at the state Capitol and nearby state buildings -- even more than $1 million for toilets at a new shooting complex in southern Illinois.

The proposal also includes large lump sums with no clear spending purpose, including $400 million for lawmakers and the governor to split up and spend on projects of their choosing. The plan passed the Senate partly because of the money for each legislative caucus and side agreements between Republicans and the governor on specific projects.

As the House prepares to consider the construction plan, supporters acknowledge some projects raise questions. But they say overall it will meet needs that have been delayed far too long.

"Is every project in there I feel a priority? No, of course not," said Sen. John Sullivan, the Rushville Democrat who sponsored the measure outlining the projects. "I'm only one of 59 in the Senate. People have their own priorities ... I think for the most part it's a good capital bill."

Lawmakers are closer than they've been in several years to ending a construction squabble that dates to well before Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office in 2003. House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, remains skeptical of a gambling expansion that would pay for the program, but supporters are optimistic they can find enough support to pass it.

Much of the money would be directed to meat-and-potatoes infrastructure needs.

The construction plan combines $13 billion in state money with federal and local funds to top $25 billion. Billions would be available to build roads and bridges, although detailed rundowns of all the projects are difficult to track down.

More than $200 million would be set aside for bridges that need repairs urgently. Another $200 million would help the Chicago area's cash-strapped mass transit system with its operating expenses, along with more than $400 million for construction needs.

Local governments would get $500 million for their transportation needs. Airports, environmental causes and research facilities would divide up hundreds of millions of dollars.

It would include $1.75 billion to replace or repair crumbling school buildings. Two dozen schools that were promised money in 2002 but haven't received it would finally get their cash. Private colleges and universities would get $200 million for improvements.

But there's also plenty of money directed at items not meeting the "roads, bridges and schools" refrain, including:

$25 million for improvements at civic centers in 10 cities.

$100 million to renovate or replace the Stratton Building, an office building next to the Capitol.

$14.4 million for renovations to the 99-year-old Illinois Supreme Court building, including mechanical and electrical repairs.

$1.5 million for replacing locks at Stateville Correctional Center that are original to the 1914 segregation building and no longer serviced by their manufacturer.

$570,000 for renovating Lincoln's Tomb, whose interior walls and finishes have been damaged by water leaks.

$1.75 million for 17 toilets and access sidewalks that would replace rented portable toilets at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta.

$57.8 million for a new performing arts center at Western Illinois University. It would be the first new building erected on campus since the 1970s and a big financial boon to the region, Sullivan said.

The Transportation for Illinois Coalition, a business and labor group that advocates more transportation spending, says the Senate-passed plan is inadequate.

"There's too much pent-up need, and these programs come through too infrequently to be rational," said Doug Whitley, the group's co-chairman and president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. "I don't think they're rational when you do them like this."

Blagojevich administration officials and lawmakers defend the projects as meeting worthwhile infrastructure needs.

Sullivan and other senators say the vast majority of projects were recommended by agencies and have long been on to-do lists, and say this plan includes less in questionable spending than in past capital construction programs, such as former Gov. George Ryan's Illinois FIRST.

"We need to take care of some of the things that have to be done," said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete. "There's not stained glass windows and fountains."

When asked last week whether all the spending in the construction bill was justified, Senate President Emil Jones said, "The senators do not believe in fat."

Rep. Jay Hoffman, a Collinsville Democrat and key ally to Blagojevich, told lawmakers in a letter sent last week the capital plan has "ample funding" to restore projects Blagojevich cut from the state budget a few weeks ago. Blagojevich had called many of the cuts wasteful spending.

Senate Republicans put up enough votes to pass the bill after getting signed agreements from the governor for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of road, bridge and other projects for their districts.

But the plan faces some serious questions in the House as the Legislature returns to work this week for its fall veto session.

Some lawmakers say it was put together quickly and they need more time to review it before deciding whether everything in it is worth supporting.

"At this point in time, if any piece of legislation isn't able to withstand a longer review then maybe it shouldn't become law," said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago.

Madigan said Wednesday he is planning hearings in Chicago and Springfield on the plan and the massive gambling expansion proposed to pay for it before moving ahead.

Lawmakers now will decide whether they can agree on a construction plan, how much should be included -- and most important, where they'll get the money to pay for it. That will be a tough sell for some, even as pressure builds for action.

"I think we have to live within our means and be prudent with the taxpayer's money," said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock.

Here's a look at the variety of projects included in SB1110, the $13 billion "capital construction" plan the Senate passed recently and is awaiting House action. Lawmakers could take up the issue when they return to work this week for their fall veto session.

$1.75 billion for school construction projects.

$200 million for bridges in urgent need of repairs.

$500 million for local governments' transportation needs.

$160 million to improve Amtrak commuter train service.

$200 million for Chicago-area mass transit needs.

$475 million for new ethanol, biodiesel and coal gasification plants.

$25 million for improvements at civic centers in 10 cities across the state.

$13.5 million for state government computer hardware and infrastructure improvements.

$100 million for renovating or replacing the Stratton Building, an office building for state employees next to the Capitol.

$14.4 million for renovations at the Illinois Supreme Court building.

$39 million for statewide emergencies and project cost increases.

$1.5 million for replacing locks at Stateville Correctional Center.

$570,000 for renovating Lincoln's Tomb.

$33.7 million for heating and air conditioning system improvements at the state Capitol.

$1.75 million for new toilets at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta.

$57.8 million for a new performing arts center at Western Illinois University.

$400 million for lawmakers and the governor to spend on projects they choose.