Once the $1 trillion infrastructure bill is signed by President Joe Biden, it will pour $17 billion into Illinois for projects with the prospects of billions more from competitive grants. Spending from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will impact all of Illinois, from Chicago to Cairo.
An article in the Chicago Sun Times states that if all goes as planned, broadband internet access in a few years will be accessible everywhere in Illinois, just like electricity.
There will be enough electric charging stations up and running to reduce or eliminate range anxiety, a major barrier to cleaner electric car sales.
Water quality will be improved with the removal of lead pipes which has been a big problem in Chicago and Cook County.
The federal infrastructure funding will piggyback on Rebuild Illinois state programs and other infrastructure plans that were enacted by the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J.B. Pritzker.
The White House has estimated that in Illinois, there are 2,374 bridges and over 6,218 miles of highway in poor condition.
Illinois Democratic senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth believe it breaks down to the following over the next five years:
- $1.7 billion to improve drinking and wastewater infrastructure throughout Illinois building on legislative proposals Duckworth has been leading.
- $9.8 billion for federal highway projects
- $1.4 billion for bridge replacement and repairs. Plus the state could get more if successful in competitive grants.
- About $4 billion to improve public transportation options across the state.
- At least $100 million for broadband coverage across the state. At present, there are about 228,000 Illinoisans who currently do not have broadband. About 2.9 million low-income Illinoisans would get an internet access benefit.
- Approximately $616 million for airport improvements. Under a new Airport Terminal Improvement program, a $5 billion funding pool will be in place through September 30, 2030, for the secretary of transportation to provide competitive grants for projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airports.
- $149 million to fund the expansion of the electric charging network in Illinois. Plus, Illinois interests could compete for EV charging grants from a $2.5 billion pool.
- $27 million to protect against wildfires.
- $22 million to protect against cyberattacks.
News Channel 20 reports that Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder stated that three pieces of the bill stand out to him because of the impact they will have on the capital city, such as:
- An expansion of broadband internet access to all residents
- Replacing the city's miles of lead-lined drinking water pipes
- More electric vehicle charging stations
In Springfield, 700 lead-lined pipes were set for replacement in 2021. 7000-8000 are estimated to exist in total across the city according to City Water, Light and Power.
Illinois has more lead pipes than any other state in the nation, with nearly 680,000 known, and another 782,000 potential lead lines.
In August, data from Microsoft showed that over 90% of Sangamon County residents had access to broadband internet, but less than half actually had the service in their home. In neighboring Menard County, just 9% of homes had high-speed internet.
Langfelder said that his office, CWLP, and Springfield Public Works are also collaborating to develop a plan for a city-wide electric vehicle charging station network.
"Under Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Transportation is overseeing historic investments in the state's infrastructure across all modes of transportation through the Rebuild Illinois capital program. With the prospect of additional federal funds, Illinois is poised to capitalize on that success and continue creating jobs and economic opportunity while building a 21st century transportation system that is truly safe, reliable and equitable for Illinois businesses, travelers and residents. Under the governor's leadership, IDOT looks forward to working with our federal partners and local stakeholders as a nationwide infrastructure package is now a reality and additional federal guidance becomes available."
Statement from IDOT
According to Crain's Chicago Business, Amtrak will also be getting tens of billions of dollars for their plans to vastly increase their train service out of its Chicago mid-America hub.
Every Democratic member of the Illinois congressional delegation voted for the package, as did insurgent Republican Adam Kinzinger of Channahon. But particularly notable in his "no" vote was Representative Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville.
Davis' position is particularly interesting given that other, GOP-leaning groups were all for the infrastructure bill. Like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which termed it "a major win for America." Or the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, whose president, former Illinois House GOP Chief of Staff Kevin Artl, praised the "once in a generation investment" as a vehicle for job and economic growth.
