LaHood pitches Illinois' chances with stimulus bill
Illinois' political dysfunction won't hamstring efforts to obtain its share of the economic stimulus pie, U.S. Transportation Secretary and Peoria native Ray LaHood said Thursday.
The controversial American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is under debate in the Senate following approval by House Democrats in January.
The proposal started at $888 billion but that number is acknowledged to be a moving target with political horse-trading in full sway between both parties. The bill aims to create jobs by pumping money into transportation, infrastructure, science and energy programs plus tax credits. Provisions to fund education and social programs by Democrats drew fire from House Republicans but stayed in the legislation sent to the Senate.
LaHood said he planned to meet Wednesday with all 50 state transportation secretaries to discuss allocating infrastructure dollars, an indication the Obama administration believes the bill's passage is imminent.
Illinois' government has been in turmoil recently with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest and impeachment but LaHood said he had confidence in new Gov. Pat Quinn.
"I feel the governor and his people have projects that will be ready to go and will be considered like all the other states," he said.
Illinois could gain a possible $8 billion from the stimulus package, according to the White House and Senate Democrats. Here are some estimates of where the money could go.
• $945 million in highway funding
• $430 million for public transit
• 157,000 jobs saved or created
• $223 million for upgrades to public housing
• $260 million for drinking water and clean-water programs
• $162 million for energy-efficiency research and construction
As Republican and Democrat senators sparred in the Senate, House GOP lawmakers who voted against the original proposal held fast to their reservations.
"Many of the items Congress is considering are worthy priorities
but they have nothing to do with stimulating the economy," U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale said.
Wheaton Republican congressman Peter Roskam's spokesman Matt Vriesma said when the bill returns to the House the focus needs to be on tax cuts to encourage small businesses to expand.