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Federal Highway Program Could Net Jobs in State
The construction equipment industry is pushing for a new federal highway program, citing the impact on jobs in Illinois.

Toby Mack, president of Associated Equipment Dealers, an industry group based in Oak Brook, says the recession has cost Illinois 53,000 jobs and $9.2 billion in the construction equipment business - sales, service, leasing and manufacturing.

Illinois has significant construction equipment manufacturing, with Caterpillar plants in Peoria, Decatur, and Aurora, the John Deer factory in Moline, and the Komatsu plant in Peoria.

The last highway program expired Sept. 30. These programs are typically established for five-year periods, with Congress now looking at a five-year program worth $500 billion.

The problem with a new bill is funding: With less driving and greater fuel efficiency, the federal gasoline tax is bringing in less. Mack says the equipment industry wants to see the tax raised by 10 cents - from 18 cents a gallon to 28 cents, though he says future technology may allow the government to drop the fuel tax, and tax drivers instead on miles driven, etc.

(Illinois Radio Network)
10 30 09 by Newsroom
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