Illinois Capital Investment Accountability Act would create state’s first criteria-based process for prioritizing investments in transit, roads and other capital projects
(Springfield,
Ill.) … As advocacy groups and public agencies
across
Illinois
continue to call for increased
funding for transit, roads and other infrastructure projects, a new bill
promises to fundamentally improve the way the state invests its capital dollars.
The Illinois
Capital Investment Accountability Act, introduced in the Senate as SB 1582 by Sen.
Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and in the House as HB 801 by State Reps. David E.
Miller (D-Dolton) and Michael Tryon
(
R-Crystal
Lake ), would
institute
Illinois’ first
transparent, accountable, criteria-driven process for selecting transportation
projects.
“Through SB 1582, all state capital dollars invested in surface transportation would
be tied to a new way of doing business
in
Illinois,” said Sen. Garrett. “The bill
proposes prioritizing those projects that most benefit
Illinois
residents and businesses, by basing project
selection on a clearly defined
development vision for
Illinois
created with extensive public involvement.”
By making sound public
policy the driving factor for project selection, this bill would create a more
open and responsible government process for prioritizing capital investments.
“At a
time
when Illinois’ liabilities and unfunded
commitments exceed its assets by more than $100 billion, it’s critical that we
scrutinize every dollar
spent,” said
Rep. Miller. “HB 801 vastly improves the accountability of our transportation
project selection process, as well as strengthens local input in project
selection to ensure communities throughout the state receive the greatest value
for every taxpayer dollar spent on transportation.”
“This proposal levels
the playing field for
all
Illinois communities seeking
transportation infrastructure improvements,” said Rep. Tryon. “It’s about creating a
fair system for capital investment decision making
in
Illinois.”
Across the state, media have been reporting stories of unreliable transit
systems, pot-hole-riddled highways, crumbling bridges, and outdated local roads.
This month, the Regional Transportation Authority and Transportation for
Illinois Coalition put multi-billion dollar price tags
on
Illinois’ unfunded transportation needs. The
Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), a nonprofit planning advocate that formed
consensus around the Capital Investment Accountability Act, agrees more funding
is needed to maintain and expand our transportation network, a cornerstone of a
healthy statewide economy. However, MPC President MarySue Barrett cautions that
to reap the greatest benefit from any infusion in state capital funding, the
state must develop a more accountable and transparent plan for spending those
dollars.
“Just as an individual plans
for retirement, or a business invests in its physical plant, the state should
weigh its capital investments against a comprehensive plan that supports
sensible growth, and maintains our economic competitiveness and quality of
life,” said Barrett. “Simply put, projects that have the most value to the
citizens and businesses of the state should be in the front of the
line.”
Click here
to read more about the transportation
selection process outlined in Illinois Capital Investment Accountability Act.
For comment on a potential state capital investment
package from the Metropolitan Planning Council, please contact Mandy Burrell,
communications associate, at 312-863-6018 (office), 773-640-1206 (cell), or mburrell@metroplanning.org; or Peter Skosey, vice president of
external relations at 312-863-6004 or pskosey@metroplanning.org.