Illinois leads nation in recovery road funds, projects

Federal transportation officials say Illinois so far ranks first in the number of projects and amount of stimulus funding approved by the Obama Administration.

Gov. Pat Quinn announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation says Illinois has received funding approval for 249 projects worth $606 million.

The projects are expected to create and retain 9,000 jobs. Illinois projects include $29 million to replace a bridge and build a new interchange on interstates in Madison County, and $5.5 million to resurface a northeast Illinois roadway.

States have until June 17 to use the first half of their share of the highway funds or risk losing the money.