DeKalb 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 Senator 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 DeKalb County include $197,444 to the City of Sandwich for all costs associated with the extension of Fairwind Boulevard and $100,000 to the Village of Waterman for all costs associated with the water system arsenic remediation project.

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 Avenue and Ravenswood Avenue 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.

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What projects in DeKalb 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 Sandwich	Sandwich	DeKalb	$197,444	The sum of $197,444, 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 Sandwich for all costs associated with extension of Fairwind Boulevard.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Waterman	Waterman	DeKalb	$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 Village of Waterman for all costs associated with water system arsenic remediation project.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Town of Cortland	Cortland	DeKalb	$56,250	The sum of $56,250, 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 Town of Cortland for all costs associated with storm water management.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Maple Park	Maple Park	DeKalb	$40,000	The sum of $40,000, 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 Maple Park for all costs associated with construction of a community center restroom and storage facility.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Town of Cortland	Cortland	DeKalb	$18,750	The sum of $18,750, 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 Town of Cortland for all costs associated with detention pond reconstruction and other capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Kirkland	Kirkland	DeKalb	$3,684	The sum of $3,684, 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 Kirkland for all costs associated with street reconstruction.