$250 Million in Infrastructure Grants Announced
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the second of six $250 million grants. The grants would go to counties, municipalities, and townships to address local transportation needs. The bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan made the grants possible. The plan is the first infrastructure program in Illinois in nearly a decade and the largest in state history.
The funding will ensure continued investment in Illinois’ transportation systems and it will help maintain the safe and reliable infrastructure at the local level. Pritzker said, “For too long, Illinois has relied on legacy infrastructure investments without tending to them properly to maintain our status as a transportation hub for the nation. Rather than build on our storied history and strong foundation, our critical infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate.”
He also said the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois plan’s dedicated funding will help to invest in our roads and bridges. Today’s announcement is part of $1.5 billion being distributed over three years to advance municipal, township, and county projects statewide. Road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers, and bike paths, sidewalk replacement along with other long-term maintenance needs will include in the eligible projects.
Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said, “In Illinois, we don’t have just state or local roads and bridges, but one system of transportation that stretches across all modes and involves multiple partners working together.” He added the funding will help cities, neighborhoods, and rural areas during this uncertain time.
Through the state motor fuel tax formula, the local component of the Rebuild Illinois grant program is distributed. The formula resulted in an additional $860 million for counties, municipalities, and townships in the past fiscal year alone. Gov. Pritzker’s historic and bipartisan Rebuild Illinois passed in 2019. The plan is investing a total of $33.2 billion into the state’s aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth.
