Capital bill brings Casino to Danville, improved roads, and new jobs
SPRINGFIELD… State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian) voted in favor of an Illinois capital and infrastructure package that has not seen significant funding since 2009. Statewide, there is a total of $27 billion in needs for public buildings including state facilities, schools, colleges and universities, parks, libraries, and museums.
The State Board of Education estimates $9.4 billion in school capital is needed with capital grants for projects submitted in 2004 still awaiting funding. The Capital Development Board states that there is a $7.5 billion need to address State facilities deferred maintenance.
Illinois roads and transit systems have $30 billion in deferred maintenance needs. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives Illinois a C- on their annual infrastructure report card, including a D for roads and transits, and states 8.6% of Illinois’ bridges are classified as structurally deficient.
Rep. Marron said, “Illinois infrastructure is in dire need of improvement after over a decade of pushing critical maintenance projects off. Now is the time to put safety first bringing much needed jobs to all areas of the State, and focus on improving our communities. The White House Council of Economic Advisors says every $1 billion in infrastructure investment supports 13,000 jobs per year, so this will be a great opportunity to bring critical employment to the 104th District.”
“Leader Durkin fought to have the Republican Caucus heard during the Capital project negotiations, which allowed some of the best pro-business reforms we have seen in decades,” said Rep. Marron. “I filed a bill this Session to eliminate the corporate franchise tax that levies an outdated and unfair model on new businesses that continues every year after they incorporate. This reform was brought together in the negotiating process, and I am proud to have been an outspoken supporter of this common sense pro-business initiative,” continued Rep. Marron.
Rep. Marron added, “One of the biggest promises I made to my district was to ensure we brought home a Danville casino. The 104th District deserves to be included in this economic engine to boost our flourishing tourism sector, bringing good paying, stable jobs, and new opportunity to our area.
My predecessor Rep. Bill Black started this process over thirty years ago, Representative Chad Hays worked very hard during his time in Springfield to bring a casino to the district, and I am proud to have followed through this Session by demanding in negotiations that Danville was included in this highly competitive process.”
“We brought significant pro-business policies, the Blue Collar Jobs Act, and significant tax incentives for booming industries across the State. Leader Durkin fought for the data center tax incentives and the reinstatement of the manufacturer’s purchase credit, which are critical policies needed to ensure that we will stay competitive with our Midwest neighbors and promote our highly skilled workforce that we have in Illinois,” said Rep. Marron.
“Businesses need stability and we appreciate Representative Marron for working in a bipartisan fashion to enact a balanced budget and infrastructure program. This will create jobs across Illinois while rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges. Manufacturing is the state’s leading economic engine and this package will cut taxes for businesses while stopping onerous and costly regulations,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.
The House of Representatives passed the legislation via a package of separate bills that allow for borrowing, spending, expanding casino licensing and video gaming, and specific infrastructure needs identified by state agencies, school districts, colleges and universities on bipartisan roll calls on Saturday evening.