SPRINGFIELD, IL –State Senator Iris Y. Martinez (D – Chicago) voted today to pass a measure targeted at revitalizing the state’s economy and creating jobs across Illinois at a time of rising unemployment rates.

The capital program passed by the Senate will create a reliable, annual stream of revenue to be used for modernizing aging and outdated infrastructure in Illinois. The program is expected to play a critical role in the creation of jobs and aid efforts for economic recovery. Currently, the unemployment rate in Illinois is 9.1 percent. “The passage of this plan comes at a time when unemployment rates are getting worse and worse every day,” Senator Martinez said. “This construction program will create thousands of jobs across this state and help people get back to work.”

The plan will update infrastructure across the state through various road projects and building construction throughout Illinois. The plan includes funding for road and transit projects, as well as construction on schools and universities throughout the state.

The 20th District will receive over $22 million in funding for school construction under the capital program. This will include $6.2 million for window repair and masonry at Marshall Middle School and nearly $3 million for mechanical and boiler upgrades at Kelvyn Park High School.

“This program will enable schools in my district to finally begin the renovation projects that they so desperately need,” Senator Martinez said. “Our school buildings are in need of repair and we owe it to students to enables these repairs to begin.”

The legislation, which would be the first capital plan in a decade, now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.