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* Politico…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will be among the governors, mayors and members of Congress at the White House today to celebrate President Joe Biden signing the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.
* Gov. Pritzker statement via press release…
President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure deal is a testament to what government should do for the people it serves: create millions of jobs, power local economies, double down on America’s global leadership, and ensure working families have the roads, routes, and digital access they need to succeed in the 21st century. And thanks to our Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan — the largest in state history — the Land of Lincoln is prepped and ready for federal dollars to jumpstart our projects ahead of schedule.
I am proud to join President Biden, Vice President Harris, and colleagues from across the nation to celebrate this exemplary renewal of federal leadership. Every American deserves access to safe, reliable transportation. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — the largest of its kind in over a decade — is how we deliver on that mission. Let’s get to work.
* Sun-Times…
According to Lightfoot, money from the bill will fund “huge improvements to our CTA without any change in cost to consumers while delivering the same service they expect.”
The CTA system will “become 100% accessible with the addition and improvement of elevators and other ADA enhancements,” Lightfoot said, and “the Red Line will finally be extended to 130th Street.” Also, she said “the bus system will become fully electric,” and lead pipe replacement will be faster. […]
Lawmakers were told the White House invited at least 200 to the bill ceremony, enough to include almost all yes votes. Illinois Democratic Reps. Marie Newman, Bobby Rush and Cheri Bustos are among those who will attend the White House signing. […]
The infrastructure bill, a major Biden agenda item, “marks the largest investments in roads, bridges and highways since the creation of the Interstate Highway System,” [deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation Polly Trottenberg] said.
* Background from the governor’s office…
• Gov. Pritzker last visited the White House July 14, 2021 to discuss the infrastructure package and how it would benefit states.
Under theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Illinois will receive:
• Water Infrastructure:The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal includesSenator Duckworth’s entireDrinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act,which would help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure,and also provides five years’ worth of appropriations totaling $1.7 billion to improve drinking and wastewater infrastructure throughout Illinois.
• Roads and bridges:$9.8 billion for federal-aid highway projects and $1.4 billion for bridge replacement and repairs. The state will be eligible for billions more in competitive grant programs.
• Public transportation:Approximately $4 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state. The state will be eligible for billions more in competitive grant programs.
• Broadband:A minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 228,000 Illinoisans who currently lack it. 2,926,000 Illinoisans, or 23 percent, will be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
• Airports:Approximately $616 million for airport improvements over five years, increasing the Airport Improvement Grant Program and creating a new Airport Terminal Improvement Program.
• Electric vehicles:$149 million over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the state. Illinois is eligible for $2.5 billion in competitive EV charging grants.
…Adding… DPI…
The Democratic Party of Illinois is launching a multi-platform digital ad campaign highlighting the opposition of four Illinois Republican members of Congress to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that will be signed into law later today by President Biden. In total, 32 Republicans in the House and Senate supported the bipartisan deal, however Reps. Mike Bost, Rodney Davis, Darin LaHood, and Mary Miller put partisanship above the needs of their own constituents and opposed the deal. The DPI digital ads campaign is designed to raise awareness of these legislators’ failure to deliver commonsense solutions for their constituents.
“After years of broken Republican promises on ‘infrastructure week,’ President Biden and Illinois Democrats finally delivered on a once-in-a-generation investment in our state and our nation that will improve the lives of every Illinoisan,” said Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt. “Unfortunately, instead of working in a bipartisan way for their communities, Reps. Bost, Davis, LaHood, and Miller followed Donald Trump’s lead, letting petty partisanship get in the way of a good deal for their constituents.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will deliver billions of dollars in investment for Illinois’ roads and bridges, safe drinking water, broadband access, cybersecurity systems, and more,” Witt continued. “These investments will grow good-paying union jobs while combating climate change, building on the progress already delivered by Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats in the statehouse. Voters need to know that four Illinois Republicans decided to turn their backs on this bipartisan deal, and the DPI is ready to spread the word.”
The digital campaign begins today, will run across multiple social media platforms, and is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of voters across Illinois. Examples of the initial digital ads can be seen here.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 8:52 am
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Good, this is right up their alley, especially JB and the state bipartisan infrastructure law. Haven’t seen any invite for our own AK, the only Illinois GOP to vote for the bill. He and his fellow party members who voted for this are facing a terrible backlash. The disincentives to progress are pretty strong on that side of the aisle.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 9:38 am
I must have missed the Democrats Herculean efforts working in a bipartisan manner on infrastructure during the past administration
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 9:40 am
Increasing broadband access to areas of the state and residents currently lacking such access is good. However, there may still be limitations to such access if providers continue capping usage through hard caps or soft caps. Verizon in my area, with MIFI, has a soft cap at 30 GB and that’s all for the month before throttling sets in for $70 a month. Not much if you are working from home, have kids on remote learning, or even just trying to watch a movie or two a month on whatever free or paid platform you choose. During the height of COVID, Verizon removed all caps for a monthly price of $50. So, it appears that it can be done, but will something like this become part of the broadband expansion, too?
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 9:41 am
Finally. This country really needs this investment
Comment by Yodel Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 10:10 am
Who else noticed our Confessed former Congressman is on the invite list too. Hope the Ethics Zealots are looking the other way. Wonder if he has bring the receipt showing paid the fine with his vax proof?
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 10:50 am
And, unless I’ve missed something, Miller still has not indicated which -if any- district she plans to run.
Comment by Saluki with a Job Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 10:54 am
===Miller still has not indicated which -if any- district===
She has until February to make that decision.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 10:55 am
Doubtful Anon221. There is a bill to end data caps in Illinois though.. SB 1564. doesn’t look like it’s moved yet. Sure the industry just loves that bill…/s. Data caps are an income generating scam for the carriers and they don’t want to see them go away anytime soon
Comment by Yodel Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 10:59 am
@ Lucky Pierre, the only infrastructure improvement the past administration was interested in was the border wall.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:07 am
=== working in a bipartisan manner on infrastructure during the past administration===
This ridiculous lunacy only makes sense if more than a baker’s dozen Trunpkins voted for the bill.
It’s more and more embarrassing how your word jumbles never reflect the actual politics towards anything.
The last administration got that tax cut through, but couldn’t get an infrastructure bill passed? Maybe there’s more there too you’re ignoring.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:11 am
It is a chunk of change for Illinois but percentage wise iIllinois is receiving less than 2%. Considering how much we contribute nationally to the bottom line of the US I’d think we’d get more than that?
Comment by Frank talks Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:20 am
“Democrats Herculean efforts working in a bipartisan manner on infrastructure during the past administration”
That’s cause Trump blew it up because Dems were investigating him about Ukraine. He wouldn’t even meet with Dem leaders on infrastructure.
https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-infrastructure-pelosi-schumer-meeting-20190522-story.html
Comment by 1st Ward Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:23 am
Thanks Yodel, I’ll keep an eye on that bill.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:39 am
Sorry to bring facts to the table but the last administration got the tax cut through reconciliation- 51 votes
The infrastructure bill required 60 votes in the Senate and obviously failed along ideological lines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure_policy_of_Donald_Trump
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:55 am
=== Sorry to bring facts to the table but the last administration got the tax cut through reconciliation- 51 votes
The infrastructure bill required 60 votes in the Senate and obviously failed along ideological lines===
So the Trump Administration failed to convince 60 senators.
You should be cheering Biden fit getting it passed.
Of course, your bot programming can’t grasp that it wasn’t the Dems who couldn’t get Trump’s numbers, it was Trump.
Facts and all, as you say, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 12:03 pm
- Lucky Pierre -
From your own cite;
===In general, the aim of the Trump administration was to revitalize the national economy and enhance national security, despite the tendency of the Republican Party to oppose large federal expenditures and tax hikes. Members of the opposition Democratic Party typically favored investing in renewable energy and new infrastructure that could combat climate change.===
Bot programming, heal thyself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 12:05 pm
Yes what I am cheering is a bipartisan bill and praising Republicans for getting across the finish line.
I am also pointing out the Democrats failure to do the same in the last administration because of ideological differences involving the role of the private sector.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 12:28 pm
This bill is a lesson in political experience. Pelosi and Biden worked very hard on landing this bill (the former president had a tantrum and refused to negotiate, per the article above). Others like the Congressional Black and Progressive Caucus leaders did as well. Indications were that the bill would not pass, but Biden’s last-minute phone call helped sway people.
This is what many voters want, a government that figures it out and works.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 12:45 pm
=== Yes what I am cheering is a bipartisan bill and praising Republicans for getting across the finish line.===
So you think, Bost, Miller, LaHood and Davis were wrong to vote no? Think on that… if you’re cheering, then you can’t be pleased with them. Nope.
=== I am also pointing out the Democrats failure to do the same in the last administration because…===
LOL, no, sorry, no…
Like with Rauner, and you’re ignorance about that too was silly… it’s up to the Executive to find their votes.
Also… also in this instance, Trump’s “infrastructure week” was a mere distraction thing, it was not intended to pass.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 12:57 pm
Actually the bill is a lesson that the center held.
The bill could have passed in May if not for the intransigence of the hard left.
Democrats are justifiably getting hammered by independents
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 1:44 pm
===Actually the bill is a lesson that the center held===
Says the noted centrist bipartisan. /s
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 1:45 pm
=== The bill could have passed in May if not for the intransigence of the hard left.===
Aren’t you mad at Miller, Bost, Davis, and LaHood… they voted against this.
Also…
Structured roll calls, even passively viewed, are both art and science.
It’s not that the GOP saved the bill and the Dems blew the chance in May… it is about counting noses and folks jumped on or off depending on their own opportunist ideals, and the politics to them.
Manchin and Sinema, the Drury, Franks, and Dunkin of this US Congress are not about the politics to drive policy, they are about the politics to stall progress in their own party’s policy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 1:49 pm
@luckypierre Hyperpartisanship is so Bruce Rauner ago. If you are referring to the administration that overstepped its jurisdiction to attack all unions, you clearly do not understand the parameters required for the bidding processes for the projects supported in the infrastructure bill. Which tells me that you have never worked in or with the trades. Go get ‘em, cowboy.
Comment by Low Reception Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 3:50 pm