Quinn issues 'emergency' calls for public works spending

Gov. Pat Quinn ratcheted up pressure on lawmakers Monday to pass even a truncated public works package in the next two weeks, declaring "This is an emergency."

In launching a public campaign to push his road, bridge and transit building plan, Quinn stood with Chicago area union leaders at Rush University Medical Center to portray his package as a job-creating measure desperately needed as the state's unemployment rates continue to rise.

"We have working men and women who are losing their houses," said Tom Villanova, president of the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council.

In January, the latest available data, Illinois' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.9 percent, higher than the national average of 7.6 percent for that month.

Some suburban counties were even higher, with Lake coming in at 9 percent, Kane at 8.8 percent and McHenry at 8.2 percent. DuPage County's rate stood at 6.5 percent in January.

Local data for February will be released Tuesday.

The rising unemployment rate, Quinn argues, should be a cue to lawmakers to act quickly on a public works measure.

"We have to show people we understand there is a crisis," he said.

Quinn has proposed $25 billion in projects paid for by raising fees on license plates and driver's licenses. But legislative leaders have floated raising the gas tax to come up with the cash.

To get the ball rolling, however, Quinn wants lawmakers to use about $150 million in taxpayer dollars set aside for road building to acquire $1 billion in loans and federal dollars for immediate road projects.

The Chicago Democrat said he wants that legislation on his desk before lawmakers are set to go on spring break in about two weeks.

"We have got to respond urgently," Quinn said. "This is an emergency."

Democratic legislative leaders appear open to passing a measure soon, but they are making no promises as of yet.

Senate President John Cullerton "shares the governor's view this needs to be done sooner rather than later," said his spokeswoman, Rikeeshi Thelon.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, meanwhile, is "working cooperatively with the governor," said his spokesman, Steve Brown.