It was announced Thursday that the Illinois Department of Transportation would be releasing a third $250 million installment to counties and municipalities around the state.
The funds were approved by the General Assembly through the Rebuild Illinois capital bill that was passed in 2019. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it’s “local projects that are rejuvenating our communities in ways our people deserve.”
The entire Rebuild Illinois program is about $1.5 billion, with the six installments spread out over three years. About $1.2 million is being pumped into local government bodies in Knox County with this third installment.
That includes $353,000 for the City of Galesburg, $36,000 for Abingdon, $31,000 for Knoxville Also, most of the 20 townships in the county will get an award ranging from $20,000 to $30,000. Knox County itself will get $282,000.
Area cities are also getting a good chunk of funding. Monmouth is getting $103,000, while Canton is getting $161,000 and $141,000 for Kewanee.
A bipartisan majority in both legislative chambers passed the bill to create Rebuild Illinois, including GOP Reps. Dan Swanson and Norine Hammond.
Republican Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon says “Access to a robust transportation network makes it possible for new jobs and projects to come to cities and towns across Illinois.”
He calls the capital bill “historic.”
This funding, according to the Pritzker administration, is for “local infrastructures to improve safety, enhance quality of life and help sustain the economy across the state by rebuilding Illinois communities and putting people to work.”
