Quinn: Get Construction Deal Done by Friday or Work Stops

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn told top lawmakers Wednesday that they have until Friday to extend the state’s $31 billion construction plan, or road work will come to a halt Monday.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said that if lawmakers cannot agree on the construction spending, his office would “start the wheels turning” to stop work across Illinois.

For Bolingbrook, that means the  would be delayed, said village Director of Public Works Mike Drey.

Drey said the project, which will fix the bridge that extends over the DuPage River, is set to be bid on June 24. The bid process runs through the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

As for the village's other construction projects? Drey said those plans should not be affected. 

"We have  but that is federal money that was passed through from the state," he said. "The rest of the work we are doing is from the town's motor fuel tax so that is local money and none of that would be affected."

Quinn’s deadline could disappoint Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and his fellow Democrats, who wanted to tie $430 million in extra spending to the reauthorization of the multi-billion dollar road, bridge and school building program. Cullerton, who pushed for the extra spending on the last day of the spring session, left Wednesday’s meeting without speaking to reporters.

However, Quinn spokeswoman Mica Mattsoff said the governor wants to address the construction plan immediately — lawmakers can fight about the extra spending in November’s fall veto session.

“The plan is 12 months (of construction funding) with no conditions,” said Mattsoff.

Mattsoff would not say if Quinn supports the Senate Democrat’s budget priorities. Senate Democrats described the $33.2 billion budget crafted by Democrats and Republicans in the House as being too meager. They want to spend extra cash on education and human services.

But adding anything to the budget, which is sitting on Quinn’s desk, will be tough, said House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Kendall.

“We like the $33.2 billion (budget),” said Cross. ”… It finally, for the first time in nine years, has a limit on what we spend.”

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, has said she wants to spend even less than the House budget, and Democrats should not expect any support to spend more than $33 billion.

“It is not reasonable to suspend (the construction program) for a half a billion dollars of unrelated spending,” said Radogno.

Radogno and Cross on Wednesday said they support a vote on the construction program next week, but they had to speak with rank-and-file lawmakers first for their position.

Democratic legislative leaders said late Wednesday that they would call lawmakers back for regular session next Wednesday, eliminating the need for a special session order from Quinn.  Each day of special session would cost taxpayers nearly $50,000 if all lawmakers attend.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on Illinois Statehouse News and was written by Benjamin Yount. Bolingbrook Patch Editor Brian Feldt contributed to this report.