IDOT could halt road construction due to state budget impasse
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SUN TIMES MEDIA WIRE - Roadwork projects across Illinois could be on the chopping block as the state’s historic budget impasse continues, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
The Illinois Department of Transportation will shut down roadwork statewide if lawmakers don’t pass a budget by the end of the month, officials announced Wednesday.
“Due to the General Assembly’s refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1,” IDOT communications director Guy Tridgell said in an email.
“While we are hopeful the situation is resolved before then, the department is notifying contractors that all construction work is to shut down on June 30. Contractors will be advised to secure work zones to ensure their safety during any potential shutdown. As always, the safety of the traveling public will be the top priority as the department works through this process,” Tridgell said.
Roadwork projects were put in jeopardy by the budget impasse last year as well, but a stopgap bill passed in the final hour secured roadwork funding.
Earlier this month, S&P Global Ratings docked the state’s bond rating to just one step above junk, citing legislators’ failure to pass a budget.
Analysts say it’ll be lowered to junk if no budget is passed by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. That would mark two full years without a budget. The state’s backlog of unpaid bills has risen to $14.5 billion.
Lawmakers left Springfield on June 1 without passing a budget, but key Illinois House and Senate Republicans said on Wednesday that they’re filing a “compromise” budget plan that would have the approval of Gov. Bruce Rauner. Democratic leaders said they would review the bill when it’s filed.