Illinois Chamber pushing Safe Roads Amendment

Posted on August 29, 2016

Road construction — *The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is promoting the Safe Roads Amendment on November’s ballot, which would force lawmakers to use highway funds for their intended purpose. (WJBC file photo)*

By Greg Halbleib

State lawmakers have been guilty of driving off with highway funds for reasons other than road improvement, and the state chamber of commerce is pushing a measure on the November ballot that would keep that money on the roads.

Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch said lawmakers have taken billions of dollars over the past decade.

“I think most voters look at this legislature and this state of affairs and ask do we trust government to keep its promises,” Maisch told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin. “Unfortunately, to the tune of $6.8 billion, the legislature and governors that have gone along with it have taken that money out of the road fund.”

The Safe Roads Amendment is on November’s ballot. The measure would require highway funds to be used only for their intended purpose.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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