Druing the debate on Governor George Ryan’s Illinois FIRST, which I opposed, I had the Legislative Research Unit pull out various facts concerning the input and use of Motor Fuel Taxes.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register developed an image of it and more information, which was published on July 18, 1999,

In 2000, I was the Republican Spokesman on the Appropriations Committee that handled the Transportation Department budget.

I figured out that a majority of the committee was from the six-county Chicago metropolitican area, although the Chairman Dick Mautino (now Auditor General) was from LaSalle County.

I successfully offered an amendment that would send the same percentage of money to the six-county area as there were vehicle miles.

When it passed, Maurino was pretty close to apoplecti.

Needless to say, House Speaker Mike Madigan would not allow a vote on the bill as amended.