Mullins in D.C. to lobby for stimulus money

Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins joined nearly 20 mayors in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to try and get a piece of President Obama's $800 billion-plus economic stimulus plan.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors delegation, which included mayors from Miami and Los Angeles, met with lawmakers to lobby for federal funding for infrastructure.

They prepared the Main Street Economic Recovery plan, a 300-page wish list of "shovel ready" projects from nearly 800 cities. The federal government's $150 billion investment has the capability of producing 1.6 million jobs this year and in 2010, the report states.

"The best use of money with the most immediate benefits would be to give it directly to the cities," Mullins said. "We're afraid states will just try to cut their deficits."

Palatine itself has $60 million worth of ready-to-go projects on the books from a new police station to the erosion control and stabilization of Salt Creek.

"This would create jobs and help the quality of life for people living in Palatine," she said. "It's an investment in our future infrastructure."

The trip was met with criticism by some who say the projects, which include fitness centers and zoo exhibits, amount to nothing more than pork.

Mullins' visit included a trip to the White House, where she met with presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett.

The House passed an $819 billion version of the bill last week. It's yet to win over the necessary number of Senate Republicans.