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Help Fix Illinois' Infrastructure

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This fall, Illinois voters will have a chance to protect transportation funding once and for all. There will be a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that would require all transportation-related revenue (e.g., motor fuel tax and vehicle registration fees) to be dedicated solely to public highways, roads, streets, bridges, and mass transit. If the Amendment passes, transportation funding will be secured, and we will have the chance to make long overdue investments in our infrastructure. 

There is strong support for this initiative. Polling conducted by the Citizens to Protect Transportation Funding shows that 85 percent of voters support the idea of a transportation lockbox. Seventy-five percent want more funding for roads and bridges. Support is both broad and bipartisan. Sixty-four percent of Democrats, 61 percent of Republicans and 66 percent of Independents approve of the idea. 

But people will have questions, and we're here to provide answers. (See the July issue of IAPA eNews for Q&A part one.)
 
1) Why is the Safe Roads Constitutional amendment needed? Illinoisans pay motor fuel taxes, fees for vehicle registrations and license plates, and other transportation related taxes and fees with the expectation that these monies will be spent to maintain, repair, and build roads, highways, mass transit, and other transportation systems in their communities. Historically, the State and units of local government have diverted portions of monies raised from these revenue sources for other non--‐transportation purposes. Approval of this amendment will ensure that transportation funds are used only for transportation purposes. It will also ensure there is a dedicated funding source for projects that will increase the quality of Illinois’ transportation infrastructure. Improving the quality of our State’s transportation infrastructure will reduce accidents and damage to vehicles caused by road conditions or hazards. 

2) What are "transportation purposes" under the Safe Roads Constitutional Amendment? Under the proposed amendment, transportation funds may be used by the State or local governments only for the following purposes: (1) costs related to administering transportation and vehicle laws, including public safety purposes and the payment of obligations such as bonds; (2) the State or local share necessary to secure federal funds or for local government transportation purposes as authorized by law; (3) the construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, maintenance, and operation of highways, mass transit, and railroad crossings; (4) expenses related to workers’ compensation claims for death or injury of transportation agency employees; and (5) to purchase land for building highways or buildings for to be used for highway purposes.

 More information on the Safe Roads Constitutional Amendment will appear in future issues of IAPA eNews.

 

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