$3 million headed to Bureau County

PRINCETON — Bureau County communities and governmental bodies are slated to receive a total of more than $3 million in Illinois Jobs Now! money.

Nineteen Bureau County communities have been listed in the $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! construction spending plan signed July 13 by Gov. Pat Quinn. The funded projects included infrastructure improvements for Bureau County communities like Dalzell, LaMoille and Van Orin; a new fire department building for Bureau Junction; and capital improvements projects for Manlius, Walnut and Wyanet.

On Tuesday, Rep. Don Moffitt, R-74th, said he is optimistic the communities and entities designated for Illinois Jobs Now! funds will receive their money from the state. He and Sen. Dale Risinger, R-37th, worked together to make sure the local area was represented in that bill, Moffitt said.

“Our area did come out quite well,” Moffitt said. “I know there is never enough money to do all we’d like to do, but at least Illinois Jobs Now! does give some spread to the money.”

In addition to the designated funds to specific local communities, the Bureau County area will also benefit from the additional highway and infrastructure programs slated through state departments, such as the Department of Transportation, Moffit said. For instance, Interstate 80 will receive extensive work through the construction spending plan. Also, $1.5 billion has been designated for school projects statewide.

To help fund Illinois Jobs Now!, some fees have been increased, including those on license plates and title registrations, as well as taxes on certain items like liquor products. Gaming/gambling options have also been expanded, Moffitt said.

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