From Governor JB Pritzker:

Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Bipartisan House Passage of Rebuild Illinois

Springfield, Ill. — Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after the bipartisan passage of the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan.

“After years of neglecting our state’s roads, bridges, mass transit, and buildings, Illinoisans’ health and safety have been jeopardized, and job creation has been hindered.

“I’m proud that the state is on the verge of adopting a bipartisan infrastructure plan for the first time in a decade.

“Our plan to rebuild our roads, bridges and communities will create hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout our state.

“The Rebuild Illinois plan will reinvigorate our economy and strengthen our rightful status as the transportation and supply chain hub of the nation.

“This historic step forward wouldn’t be possible without the leadership of Senators Sandoval, Manar, Hutchinson, DeWitte, Tracy and McConchie, and Representatives Hoffman, Arroyo, Gordon-Booth, Spain, McDermed and Butler, and countless advocates.

“I look forward to signing Rebuild Illinois into law to create jobs and make it easier to do business across our state.”

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TheTribune reports,

“Republican Rep. Steve Reick of Woodstock, said he was supporting the gas tax increase to support infrastructure improvements, decrying the state of the roads in parts of McHenry County. The capital plan includes a major widening of Illinois Route 47 through Woodstock.”

“’Our roads are crumbling,’ Reick said. ‘The one thing that makes Illinois the centerpiece of transportation in this country is falling apart. And we can’t expect someone else to pick up the tab. We have to do this ourselves.’”