McHenry Times

The Illinois General Assembly is looking to pass a bill that earmarks $166.5 million for various projects in lawmakers' home districts across the state.

The bill, SB 2216 or the FY 18 Member Initiatives, contains appropriations for over 1,800 different projects across the state, with money coming from special state funds not related to the general operating budget. It was introduced by Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington).

State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) called the appropriations "earmarks" and "wasteful."

"I was shocked to see Sen. Bill Brady's recently filed SB 2216, which is described as 'FY 18 Member Initiatives,'" McSweeney said. "Special earmarks lead to wasteful spending and, potentially, corruption. I strongly oppose special insider earmarks."

Projects in McHenry County include $525,000 to the City of McHenry for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements; $150,000 to New Way of Life for general infrastructure improvements; $150,000 to the Village of Hebron for public safety construction and road infrastructure; and $150,000 to the City of Marengo for all costs associated with water and/or wastewater infrastructure improvements.

Some of the biggest of these appropriations include approximately $6.4 million to the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority for a Metra station at Peterson and Ravenswood avenues in Chicago; $3.75 million to Kankakee Community College for infrastructure improvements; and $3 million to the Chicago Park District for the construction of a sports recreation facility in Morgan Park.

----

What projects in McHenry County are being funded by SB 2216?

The table below shows the projects in the area that are being funded by this appropriations bill.

Department	Recipient	Recipient City	Recipient County	Total $	Copy
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	City of McHenry	McHenry	McHenry	$525,000	The sum of $525,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of McHenry for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	New Way of Life	Cary	McHenry	$150,000	The sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to New Way of Life for general infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Hebron	Hebron	McHenry	$150,000	The sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Village of Hebron for all costs associated with public safety construction and road infrastructure.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	City of Marengo	Marengo	McHenry	$150,000	The sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Marengo for all costs associated with water and/or wastewater infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	City of Algonquin	Algonquin	McHenry	$100,000	The sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Algonquin for all costs associated with roadway, sanitary, sewer, storm sewer, and water main improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Burton Township	Burton Township	McHenry	$75,000	The sum of $75,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Burton Township for all costs associated with road infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Hebron Township	Hebron Township	McHenry	$75,000	The sum of $75,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Hebron Township for all costs associated with road infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Lake in the Hills	Lake in the Hills	McHenry	$1,767	The sum of $1,767, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Village of Lake in the Hills for all costs associated with capital improvements for Sunset Park.