Caucus News

CHICAGO – Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez announced four new road and bridge projects in the 20th District under the Illinois Department of Transportation’s five-year Highway Improvement Program, slated to begin in 2020.

“This is a smart, comprehensive plan to repair our roads and bridges, increasing reliability for drivers while also creating sustainable jobs for people in Illinois,” Martinez said.

The Highway Improvement Program released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday includes:

• $14.5 million to rehabilitate Montrose Ave. Bridge on I-94 Kennedy Expressway
• $2.1 million for preservation repairs on Elston Ave. from I-94 Edens Expressway to Central Park Ave.
• $600,000 for preservation repairs on I-94 from Edens Expressway to Hubbard St.
• $420,000 to rehabilitate Avondale Ave. from Pulaski Rd. to Addison St.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced that the recently released Illinois Department of Transportation five-year Highway Improvement Program includes major improvements to several major highways and bridges across the South Suburbs.

“The Rebuild Illinois Project is beginning to bear fruit,” Hastings said. “With I-80, I-57 and I-355 serving as key arteries of this region's transportation hub, their upkeep is essential. Residents from Joliet to Matteson are going to see quality results, making their lives safer and easier over the next five years.”

Projects beginning in 2020 include widening I-80 from US Route 30 in New Lenox to Ridge Road in Minooka, improvements to Illinois Route 6 at Gouger Road in New Lenox, additional lighting for expressways from Matteson to Richton Park and repaving I-80 from Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park to US Route 30 in New Lenox.

SPRINGFIELD - Major investments in IL-48, IL-29 and local roads in Christian County will be included in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s new five-year infrastructure plan, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced this week.

The Multi-Year Plan released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday designates $34 million for 15 road and bridge projects in Christian County, including $8.9 million for 15 miles of pavement rehabilitation of IL-48 between Taylorville and the Montgomery County line. The plan also includes $7.1 million for pavement rehabilitation on IL-29 over the 10-mile stretch between Velma Rd. just south of Taylorville to Magnolia St. in Pana.

Lincoln Trail in Taylorville will undergo a 2.5-mile pavement rehabilitation project between IL-48 and 1350 North Rd, while McAdam Dr. will see .57 miles of pavement rehabilitation between IL-48 and IL-29.

“Safe and reliable transportation is imperative to our economic viability and way of life in Central Illinois, especially in rural communities where ambulances, school buses, and commuting workers spend more time on the road,” Manar said. “These much-needed improvements will foster economic growth, create good-paying jobs, and make daily transportation safer for Montgomery County families. I’m thankful that IDOT is making these improvements a top priority and look forward to working with them to see these projects through.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation’s five-year Highway Improvement Program includes major projects for U.S. Route 14 and Illinois Route 53.

U.S. Route 14 between Smith Rd. and Hicks Rd. will receive over $1.1 million for repaving and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities. Three other projects are outlined for U.S. Route 14 in the coming years, potentially including new crosswalks, bridge repair and new left turn lanes.

Illinois Route 53 will receive $1.1 million to repair the bridge near Sunset Park in Rolling Meadows. Three other projects are outlined for Illinois Route 53 in the coming years.

Palatine Rd. between Williams Dr. and Alison Dr. will receive $800,000 for general repairs.

EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville will receive a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to construct the city’s first indoor facility for recreational activities, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced today.

“This grant will provide numerous recreation opportunities for residents, especially when the weather is too rainy or cold to spend time outdoors,” Crowe said. “I can’t thank our state leaders enough for being committed to creating more shared space for people to exercise while strengthening our community’s core.”

The center will be located near the Madison County Bike Trail and Governor’s Parkway and will feature an indoor ice-skating rink and an elevated 175-meter, a four-lane track with a 3,000-square-foot physical fitness center.

SPRINGFIELD – Long-overdue upgrades to U.S. Route 41 and Illinois Route 176 in the 29th District will begin next year, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) announced Tuesday.

The state is investing more than $35 million for local road and bridge projects in 2020.

Parts of the northern suburbs in Lake and Cook counties will receive updates to the roads as part of Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s $23.5 billion, five-year highway improvement plan – pegged as “Rebuild Illinois.”

Over the next five years, the district Sen. Morrison represents will receive approximately $182 million to complete 54 projects.

“For years, drivers on these roads have dealt with delays and unsafe road conditions,” Sen. Morrison said. “I am proud to have worked with local officials to secure funding to fix this stretch of roadway in the Rebuild Illinois Program.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced that the newly released Illinois Department of Transportation five-year Highway Improvement Program includes a major investment in Illinois Route 159 in Bunker Hill.

The Highway Improvement Program released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday includes $3 million for repaving of IL-159 and the new construction of curbing and storm sewers along the state route from North Street to Alton Street within Bunker Hill.

“Like many in my hometown, I recognize that the drainage issues and unsightly ditches along Washington Street in Bunker Hill need to be addressed. It’s long overdue and I’m pleased that IDOT will finally take this much needed step to invest in our community,” Manar said. “I deeply appreciate the advocacy of Mayor Betty Phelps and the city council to help get this done.”

The project in Bunker Hill is one of 110 separate projects in the Senate district Manar represents, totaling approximately $357 million. These projects include major bridge repairs and the resurfacing of 250 miles of state roads.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Senate’s special committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement held their first meeting under the leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“There is a tremendous need for new ideas and research to combat Illinois’ opioid crisis,” Crowe said. “This committee’s goal is to produce real, comprehensive solutions.”

Jennifer Epstein, Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Department of Public Health, testified to the committee, giving feedback and status updates on the implementation of the State of Illinois’ Opioid Action Plan (SOAP) 2018 report.