A state lawmaker from the area remains hopeful that the general assembly will approve a new infrastructure program this year.

Senator Dale Risinger says former U. S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Congressman Glen Poshard have been working with lawmakers to craft a new statewide construction program for roads, bridges, schools and other projects. The state hasn't had such a program in nine years, and Hastert and Poshard are reportedly backing a $31 billion plan.

Risinger says everyone agrees the state needs a new capital program.  "We're probably not going to be able to pass one at a level that will take care of all of our needs," Risinger said.  "But we want to make sure we do one at a level large enough that we certainly are not losing ground, but gaining ground as far as smoothing up the roads and protecting our bridges.  We are exploring a lot of different avenues of how to create the revenue to fund it."

Risinger says lawmakers are considering expanded gambling, the long-term lease of the state lottery, bonding against some of the money in the road fund and tax revenue from the sale of gasoline as ways to pay for the program.

The Peoria Republican says lawmakers are still in what he calls the talking stage, but he's hopeful a plan can be approved by the end of the current legislative session.