Illinois prepares wish list for federal funding

WASHINGTON -- If Congress approves a broad economic stimulus package that includes money for infrastructure needs, Illinois is prepared to move quickly to spend as much as $1 billion on road, bridge and other projects that might be funded with the new federal dollars.

In response to inquiries from members of the state's congressional delegation, Gov. George Ryan's office has said $1.03 billion in projects are far enough along that construction could begin within a few months.

The lion's share involves $430 million in highway projects, according to David Gillies, a spokesman for Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The list also includes about $162.5 million for rail improvements -- $100 million for trains and $62.5 million for track upgrades, Gillies said. An extra $259 million could go for light rail, buses and related mass transit projects, $99 million for aviation and $83 million for port projects, he added.

Low expectations

"The request we got was, 'What do you have ready to go?'" Ryan's Washington lobbyist, Winnie Pizzano, said of the projects. "There's no priorities. We don't expect to get it."

Indeed, there is much wrangling in Congress about what will be in an economic stimulus package -- and what might go for infrastructure is getting the least attention. Most of the fight is focused on how much should go for tax relief and helping jobless workers.

"We're not necessarily of the mind this is going to be part of the package," Mike Stokke, deputy chief of staff to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, said of the infrastructure projects. "But best be prepared, if it will be."

Hastert spokesman Pete Jeffries on Tuesday declined comment on the projects' merits until he sees the economic stimulus package from the Senate. The House-approved plan ignores infrastructure improvements.

Advocates say the nation's highway trust fund has a $20 billion surplus that could be immediately released to help get the economy humming again.

St. Louis bridge

Costello said $25 million could be used to reopen the 90-year-old McKinley Bridge over the Mississippi River, between Venice, Ill., and St. Louis. State officials, citing safety concerns, closed the bridge last month and repairs aren't expected to start until 2003.

"Some people say, 'Ah, if you get into infrastructure as part of the stimulus package, you're talking about pork,'" Costello said. "I'm talking about vital transportation projects that ... would address the security needs of our states around all modes of transportation and ... take in projects where the states do not have the funds to move forward."