Earlier this Summer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law “Rebuild Illinois,” the state’s first capital plan in nearly a decade. The $45 billion plan appropriates funds for a comprehensive range of vertical and horizontal construction projects, statewide, over the next six years. 

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Rebuild Illinois earmarks$33.2 billion for transportation projects, $3.5 billion for education facilities, $4.4 billion for state facilities, $1 billion for environment and conservation projects, $420 million for broadband development, $465 million for healthcare and human services projects, and $1.8 billion for economic and community development projects. 

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More than $14 billion is slated for new roads and bridges, $10.4 billion for repairs to existing state roads and bridges, and $3.9 billion for local governments to rebuild their roads and bridges. Nearly $11 billion will be allocated to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT's) Multi-Year Plan for roads and bridges. Under the plan, mass transit, including the RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace, will receive $4.7billion, passenger rail, including Amtrak and other inter-city rail projects will receive $1 billion, $558 million will be provided for aeronautics projects,$492 million for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation EfficiencyProgram (CREATE), 312 million for grade crossing protection, $150 million for ports, and $679 million for other transportation projects. 

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The plan also designates $415million for preK-12 school maintenance, $111 million for early childhood education projects, and $2.9 billion for higher education projects, including deferred maintenance and new projects at public universities, private universities and community colleges. 

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In addition, Rebuild Illinois provides $4 billion for deferred maintenance and new projects at state facilities, such as the decrepit state crime lab; $350 million for the StateCapitol building; $75 million for park and recreational facility construction; $29million for Illinois green infrastructure grants; $140 million for renewable energy projects, including solar and energy efficiency upgrades at state facilities and transportation electrification in low-income communities; $200 million for affordable housing, $50 million for community health centers, and $75 million for economically depressed areas. 

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In various statements the Governor has expressed his pride and enthusiasm for Rebuild Illinois. He has twitted: 

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“Over the years, we’ve amassed a $30 billion backlog in maintenance needs for our roads and transit systems, and we’ve racked up a $24 billion backlog at state facilities like the crime lab and educational institutions like our universities.” 

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“This $45 billion capital program invests in every corner of our state.” 

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“For the first time in a decade, Illinois is making historic investments in our roads, bridges, schools and buildings — and creating and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state.” 

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“We’re investing $45 billion over six years to repair what’s broken and build what’s needed – all while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout our state.” 

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“The vast majority of the Rebuild Illinois budget – $33 billion – is dedicated to the day to day needs of our families:transportation to work and to visit family and access services and to go to school and so much more.” 

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“We’re reshaping our state for the future. We’re rebuilding Illinois.”