The Illinois General Assembly is looking to pass a bill that earmarks $166.5 million for various projects in lawmakers' home districts across the state.
The bill, SB 2216 or the FY 18 Member Initiatives, contains appropriations for over 1,800 different projects across the state, with money coming from special state funds not related to the general operating budget. It was introduced by Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington).
State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) called the appropriations "earmarks" and "wasteful."
"I was shocked to see Sen. Bill Brady's recently filed SB 2216, which is described as 'FY 18 Member Initiatives,'" McSweeney said. "Special earmarks lead to wasteful spending and, potentially, corruption. I strongly oppose special insider earmarks."
Projects in the southeast Illinois area include $150,000 to the County of Saline for general infrastructure improvements; $75,000 to the City of Eldorado for general infrastructure improvements; $50,000 to Gallatin County for general infrastructure improvements; and $50,000 to the City of Harrisburg for general infrastructure improvements.
Some of the biggest of these appropriations include approximately $6.4 million to the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority for a Metra station at Peterson and Ravenswood avenues in Chicago; $3.75 million to Kankakee Community College for infrastructure improvements; and $3 million to the Chicago Park District for the construction of a sports recreation facility in Morgan Park.
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What projects in southeast Illinois are being funded by SB 2216?
The table below shows the projects in the area that are being funded by this appropriations bill.
| Department | Recipient | Recipient City | Recipient County | Total $ | Copy |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | County of Saline | Saline | $150,000 | The sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the County of Saline for general infrastructure improvements. | |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | City of Eldorado | Eldorado | Saline | $75,000 | The sum of $75,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Eldorado for general infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | City of Eldorado | Eldorado | Saline | $50,000 | The sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Eldorado for general infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | City of Harrisburg | Harrisburg | Saline | $50,000 | The sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Harrisburg for general infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Gallatin County | Gallatin | $50,000 | The sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the County of Gallatin for general infrastructure improvements. | |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Massac County | Massac | $50,000 | The sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the County of Massac for general infrastructure improvements. | |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | County of Saline | Saline | $50,000 | The sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the County of Saline for general infrastructure improvements. | |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Eldorado Community School District No. 4 | Eldorado | Saline | $40,000 | The sum of $40,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Eldorado Community School District No. 4 for costs associated with capital improvements to facilities. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Village of Galatia | Galatia | Saline | $37,500 | The sum of $37,500, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Village of Galatia for costs associated with infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | City of Eldorado Egyptian Health Department | Eldorado | Saline | $25,000 | The sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Eldorado Egyptian Health Department for general infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Village of Raleigh | Raleigh | Saline | $25,000 | The sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Village of Raleigh for general infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | City of Metropolis | Metropolis | Massac | $1 | The sum of $1, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Metropolis for general infrastructure improvements. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Gallatin County | Gallatin | $1 | The sum of $1, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Gallatin County for costs associated with capital improvements to county facilities. |
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