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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Transportation infrastructure is critical to the
3economy and future growth of Illinois; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Local roads comprise over 88% of the State's
5public road mileage, carrying around 40% of statewide traffic;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, Transportation projects have traditionally been
8paid for with user fees, including gas taxes and vehicle
9registration charges; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Among the various grants awarded to local
11governments is the Needy Township program; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The Needy Township program once provided $10
13million annually to townships and road districts that levy the
14maximum tax rate allowed but still lack adequate revenue to
15meet a minimum per-mile funding level; the Illinois Department
16of Transportation determines eligible townships and assistance
17based on a district's equalized assessed value of all
18properties, annual average MFT distribution per mile, and
19average maintenance; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Transportation reduced

 

 

HR0071- 2 -LRB101 08523 MST 53601 r

1the Needy Township allocation by almost half after the FY18
2budget was enacted; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Other grants to local governments were reduced by
4almost $50 million statewide; and
 
5    WHEREAS, These reductions follow a decades long trend by
6the State of reducing funding to local road districts; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The deterioration of local roads is contributing
8to the economic problems of Illinois; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Local roads generated tax revenue and economic
10growth for the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we urge the Illinois Department of Transportation to consider
14that a higher percentage of all new revenues and new
15transportation investments be distributed for local roads; and
16be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18delivered to the Secretary of Transportation and the Governor.