The Illinois Congressional delegation says their efforts have paid off in
the form of millions of highway and transit dollars for road, rail and
bridge projects.
Those efforts include funding for significant projects in Skokie and
Evanston, officials said.
Congress approved a new $286.4 billion federal transportation package
last week that also includes authorization for future funding of the Skokie
Swift extension project, which would create stops at Oakton Street and Old
Orchard Road.
Illinois scored big in this federal transportation legislation. It stands
to get $1.23 billion per year in the new legislation, a boost of $300
million from the previous legislation in which Illinois received $927
million.
"This is a long-awaited and welcome bipartisan bill," said U.S. Rep. Jan
Schakowsky, D-9th. "For (this area), enactment means resurfaced and
safer roads, new bicycle and walking paths, expanded el service and shorter
commutes."
Schakowsky promised that her constituents will notice "a real
difference" when the projects are completed.
"This transportation bill funds preservation and beautification efforts
in residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors in my district and
will put people to work in new jobs on transportation projects throughout
Illinois and the country. The bill will make automobiles safer by offering
new protections to reduce accidents and protect children and crash victims."
Although money was not specifically earmarked for the Skokie Swift
extension project, the bill includes important authorization for future
funding.
Schakowsky spokesman Jon Samuels said this was "an important first
and necessary step" to allow for future funding. He said Schakowsky will
work closely with the CTA and Mayor George Van Dusen to make sure the
project moves forward.
In March, the village learned it will receive a federal grant of about
$417,000 to help pay for the design of the downtown Oakton Street station
for the Skokie Swift.
The grant comes from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
improvement program and is administered by the Chicago Area Transportation
Study.
Building an el stop on Oakton Street has become a major project for
Skokie following the sale of the 28-acre Pfizer Pharmaceuticals property to
developer Forest City, which is creating a life sciences research park. The
Skokie Swift station would be located next to the property and would be
ideal for employees coming to and leaving work.
The CTA has supported both the Oakton station and the extension of the
line even if it has not committed funding, officials say. A letter from CTA
President Frank Kruesi released by the village states, "By extending (the
Skokie Swift) north, and providing infill stations, the CTA will make better
use of existing service capacity and provide expanded reverse commute
opportunities."
Brad Hahn, spokesman for U.S. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, R-14th, said
cooperation among members of the state's Congressional delegation was the
key.
"The Illinois delegation didn't fare so well in 1998. The delegation made
a commitment to do better this time. Speaker Hastert led the efforts to
reach across the aisle to ensure the rate of return is better," Hahn said.
The state will now need to come up with matching dollars to ensure that
Illinois gets the federal funding. The new funding formula could double the
state's responsibility to 40 percent. Previously, the federal government
would fund 80 percent of the project cost and states were responsible for 20
percent.
Jim Reilly, chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority, which
oversees CTA, Metra and Pace, said the state will need to come up with $500
million a year to match and that won't be easy.
"The Congressional delegation did a magnificent job. Now it's our turn.
We're a long way from having a plan to present to the Legislature, and it'll
be 18 months before we do. It will have to include a tax of some sort. It's
not magic. We need the revenues. The state itself is having budgetary
problems," he said.
President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law this week. |