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Senate Says It Will Pass Construction Funding
(IRN)-Illinois Senate Democrats say they won't be a roadblock, and will not force a shutdown of state funded road, mass transit and school construction projects.

The decision clears the way for a special legislative session Wednesday to approve the package.

Governor Pat Quinn threatened to order a shutdown, to begin Monday, if lawmakers failed to agree on a 12-month infrastructure bill without additional spending attached.

Senate Democrats attempted to attach an extra $431 million in spending on education and social services, but Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said it was never his intent to bring construction to a halt.

Instead, he said, lawmakers will reconvene this fall and will take up the issues at that time.

"Within that number you can make additions and make some subtractions," he said. "We're only talking about some minor, 1 percent change to that total."

Cullerton said he expected Wednesday's special session will be perfunctory and will not go beyond one day.

Some observers have criticized Senate Democrats for making a special session necessary. The estimated cost of a one-day session, including legislative pay, security and other arrangements at the Capitol, is about $47,000.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
06 17 11 by Newsroom
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