Springfield, IL - A long-awaited capital spending plan was unanimously passed by the Illinois Senate making possible desperately needed infrastructure, transportation, school improvements across the state.

The capital plan outlined in Senate Bill 1110, pending passage from the House of Representatives, will provide a total of $25.1 billion over the next several fiscal years for capital projects in Illinois, including $4.4 billion for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08). Through the allocation of $13.4 billion for capital spending, the State will be eligible to obtain nearly $12 billion in federal and local matching funds.

"This capital spending plan has been long awaited in Illinois," said Senator Frerichs. "There are roads, bridges and schools that are in desperate need of improvement, especially downstate, and now there is funding in place to move forward with projects."

Frerichs continued, "The capital plan is not only a significant source of funding for projects across the state, this legislation will also create a large number of new jobs.

"The communities in Champaign and Vermilion County will all benefit from projects to be covered by this capital spending plan," said Frerichs. "The Senate united in a true bi-partisan effort to try to provide Illinois with a better infrastructure and more accommodating schools."

The capital funding plan includes:

1. $4.8 billion over 6 years for statewide road and bridge construction and improvement projects
   
   
   • $5.9 million for a new interchange project on Interstate 74 east of Urbana
     
   • $6.3 million for extensions to 4th Street and Hazelwood Drive in Champaign
     
   • $500 million statewide for local transportation projects
2. 2) $1.9 billion over 3 years for school construction with a total of $643 million for FY08
   
   
   • $50 million for School Maintenance Grants
     
   • $10 million to construct Early Childhood school buildings
3. 3) $1 billion for Higher Education capital improvement
   
   
   • $550 million for public universities, including over $180 million for UIUC
     
     
     1. $55 million to renovate Lincoln Hall
        
     2. $42 million to construct an Electrical and Computer Engineering Building
        
     3. $16.9 million for a Post Harvest Crop Research Facility
        
     4. $60 million for a Petascale Computing Facility
        
     5. $6.2 million for capital renewal
     
     
   • $250 million for community colleges over 3 years

4. $500 million over five years for renewable and alternative energy projects, including $150 million for the construction of new ethanol and bio-diesel plants and additional E-85 pumps

5. $303 million for Early Childhood - High School education funding. The increase will bring the per pupil foundation level to $5,900.

6. $160 million for Amtrak rail improvements and $75 million for airport improvements over 3 years

7. $850,000 for improvements to the Vermilion County Civic Center

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for approval.