As Illinois enters the summer months, we can reflect back on another spring that produced a record-breaking amount of precipitation. Multiple days of rain in the month of May resulted in widespread flooding across the Chicago region, to the point … Continue reading Record-Breaking May Precipitation Calls for Increased Focus on Climate Change Impacts
Declining Fuel Tax and Gambling Revenues Could Threaten Illinois Infrastructure Projects Continue reading “REPORT: COVID-19 Could Cost Illinois as Much as $560 Million in Transportation Revenues in 2020 Alone”
Infrastructure investment can help reduce the severity and frequency of future crashes. Continue reading “STUDY: Car Crashes Cost Illinois $3.8 Billion Per Year”
La Grange: The deteriorating conditions of Illinois’ transportation systems, state owned facilities, education buildings, and veterans’ homes have resulted in residents across the state experiencing pothole filled roads, overcrowded schools, and poorly maintained university buildings and state facilities. The annual … Continue reading REPORT: Illinois Needs $21 Billion Per Year to Fix State Building Facilities and Transportation Systems
On Wednesday, April 4, 2018 the Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives held a hearing titled “Effects of the Proposed Federal Infrastructure Plan.” Mary Craighead, AICP, transportation policy analyst with ILEPI, submitted testimony that is summarized below. Continue reading “ILEPI Testimony at the Illinois House Transportation Committee”
Falling Motor Fuel Tax Revenues Accelerate Funding Shortfall La Grange: The rapidly deteriorating condition of Illinois roads, bridges, and transit systems is producing increased congestion and vehicle maintenance costs, and the annual cost of needed repairs currently stands at $4.6 … Continue reading REPORT: Illinois Needs $4.6 Billion Per Year to Fix Roads, Bridges, and Transit Systems
How will Illinois respond: acknowledge that the current Administration is unwilling to provide direct support and offer local funding solutions or continue to hold out for broader federal aid? Continue reading “President Trump’s Proposed Infrastructure Plan: The Shift to Local Funding and Illinois’ Response”
Interstate 80 near Joliet is a prime example of a roadway in desperate need of improvements. Built in the 1960s as an original portion of the interstate highway system, it is a crucial east-west corridor for both the Chicago region and the nation. However, inadequate infrastructure funding on both the state and federal levels has left travelers in the lurch, subjecting them to not only the inconvenience of congestion and an inefficient roadway, but also safety issues. Continue reading “I-80: Exemplifying the Need for Infrastructure Investment”
Thursday Community Town Hall Meeting Convened State and Local Leaders to Discuss Local Highway Infrastructure Needs Joliet: As highlighted at a Thursday Town Hall meeting in Joliet – where state transportation leaders gathered to discuss Will County’s highway infrastructure needs – an Illinois … Continue reading New Study Says I-80 Near Joliet in “Desperate Need” of Repairs, Improvement
Economic development subsidies should create jobs, increase wages, and promote positive economic growth, but these goals do not consistently prevail. Continue reading “Reforms Needed to Ensure Accountability in Economic Development Subsidies”
Subsidies play a prominent role in economic development policy at both the state and local levels in Illinois, yet subsidy policies continue to lack the strict scrutiny they deserve. Continue reading “Economic Development Subsidies Not Consistent with Socio-Economic Needs”
Since 1985, state and local governments in Illinois have doled out at least $5 billion in economic development subsidies. In particular, three companies have received over $900 million from Illinois taxpayers: Sears, Mitsubishi Motors, and Motorola. In these three cases, employment eventually fell and plants even closed despite the massive amounts of money provided. Continue reading “Illinois Has Doled Out $5 Billion in Corporate Subsidies Since 1985”
