2009 Illinois Capital Bill - Back to Work Illinois

In 2009, the state of Illinois enacted the first significant capital investment program in over a decade. The $31 billion capital plan will invest in roads, bridges, transit, schools, health care, public works, the environment, economic development and other critical projects that will keep our economy moving and put Illinois residents Back to Work. As Illinois struggles with the highest unemployment rate in 25 years, the capital plan is estimated to create 439,000 jobs over the next five years.

Capital Plan Highlights:

$31 billion in investments over five years
Create a minimum of 439,000 jobs over five years
$4.6 billion statewide in road, highway, bridge and transit programs
$3 billion statewide for school construction
$3.3 billion statewide for economic and community development projects, including health care, parks, cultural institutions, and economic redevelopment
$1.3 billion for environmental projects, drinking water and sewer upgrades, conservation and cleaning toxic sites

In addition to these projects, the capital plan provides local communities with new revenue to help support police, fire, public works and other community priorities chosen by local city councils and village boards.

Click here for regional summaries of projects.

On May 17th, the Illinois Supreme Court will hear arguments on the structure of the Illinois Capital Plan and its funding sources over the process in which the General Assembly followed to enact the plan.

Single-subject definitions in the Illinois State Constitution explain that items within a bill must all be related. The Supreme Court isn’t questioning the value of video gaming (which makes up approximately one-third of the capital plan’s funding) but rather the structure and legal construction of the capital bill.

If the court rules the law as constitutional, the capital plan continues as it did when it was passed. If the court rules the law as unconstitutional, legislators will be forced to vote on every measure included in the capital bill independently.

The Capital Bill represents one of the most significant investments in the Illinois economy. This $31 billion program known as “Illinois Jobs Now!” would save or create more than 400,000 jobs across the state over the next five years and infuse much needed capital dollars in the state’s infrastructure.

The bill and its funding sources was passed and approved in 2009 with strong, statewide, bi-partisan support. Back to Work Illinois will be closely monitoring the Supreme Court’s decision.

To view BWI's statement on this case, click here.