Durbin: Transportation bill disastrous for Ill.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — U.S. Sen. Dick Durban is criticizing a transportation funding bill expected to be voted on in the House next week, warning that it could mean less money for Illinois roads and transit projects.

The U.S. Senate's second-ranking Democrat says the Republican measure would reduce highway aid to Illinois by about $900 million, cut revenue to downstate bus districts and potentially result in less funding for Amtrak.

Speaking Friday in the state capital, Durbin called the bill "disastrous."

The $260 billion House measure was approved last week on a party-line vote.

Republicans want federal gasoline taxes to be used for road projects. They say mass transit should be paid out of a separate pool of cash.

Durbin says that would deny transit programs the steady revenue stream needed for long-term planning.