News From

State Representative Ron Stephens

For Immediate Release: March 30, 2009

Contact: Rep. Stephens

618-651-0405

Stephens opposes plan to take road funds from downstate Illinois

Springfield… State Representatives Ron Stephens (R-Highland) has signed on to co-sponsor a resolution opposing a plan to divert funds to repair roads in downstate Illinois to Chicago and surrounding suburban areas.

Currently, 55 percent of the funding comes to downstate Illinois, while 45 percent goes to six counties up north. Rep. Stephens is opposing any attempts to alter the current percentages, which would take away funding used for the upkeep and repair of downstate Illinois roads.

“What our friends up north that are proposing this plan need to realize is that 81 percent of the state’s roadways and 78 percent of the state’s bridges are located outside of their six counties,” Rep. Stephens said. “If it were not for their dense population, I would make the argument that their percentage of the funds should be lowered, and not raised.”

The State is currently divided into nine highway districts. District One encompasses Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, and Will counties. All other downstate counties are divided into Districts Two through Nine. Highway Districts Two through Nine, representing downstate Illinois, include more than 13,300 miles of highways compared to 3,000 miles in District One.

House Resolution 245 urges the Governor, Department of Transportation, and the General Assembly to keep the funding percentages at their current levels. Additionally, the resolution stresses that any funding stemming from a capitol construction plan should also be distributed along the previously established percentages.

“The current funding percentages have been in place for nearly 20 years, there is no feasible reason to change things now,” Rep. Stephens said. “Highways in downstate Illinois serve as a vital link to our neighboring states, allowing Illinois to maintain its economy and level of commerce. To do anything, in our current financial crisis, to jeopardize the quality of our highways would be foolish.”

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