Chicago, Illinois - Illinois Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-12) and Illinois Rep. Daniel J. Burke (23d. District) worked tirelessly in the General Assembly’s spring session to successfully secure important and needed funds for schools in the Southwest Side of Chicago through “Illinois Jobs Now!” the capital improvement plan that provides many long-awaited improvements to our bridges and roads, transportation networks, schools and communities.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) is pleased with Governor Pat Quinn’s approval of the statewide capital infrastructure improvement plan. After a comprehensive search of the projects list, she is anticipating a boost in employment in the near future for the 49th Legislative District.

“With the number of projects coming to the counties and municipalities of the 49th District, we are hoping to see an increase in employment numbers for the district. This is important, especially when you consider that some of our counties have very high unemployment rates,” Senator Demuzio said.

The other day, I heard on the news that several Illinois soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan. This sad occurrence has become all too common. I only hope that we will never get used to hearing that the brave men and women who defend our country and its interests have been killed in the line of duty. We need to do everything we can to honor members of the military and to assist them once they become veterans. 

One way we assist our retired soldiers is by providing veterans’ homes that make the waning years of their lives easier and more comfortable. I am proud that we have a veterans’ home here in Southern Illinois in the city of Anna. This modern, well-maintained facility has been open for more than a decade. It has 50 beds and a staff that is qualified to provide nursing care and trained to look after the special needs of veterans. Though residents are required to pay a monthly fee, it is based on their income, ensuring that all veterans have the opportunity to receive the care that they need. Getting these soldiers the care they need at an affordable cost and allowing them to stay close to home in Southern Illinois is the least we can do for the men and women who risked their lives to defend our freedom.

Springfield, Illinois - State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) commended the Governor’s decision to sign the capital bill into law.

"This legislation includes not only bridge and road projects, but also dollars for public transit, education, community development and environmental projects," said Munoz. "Illinois has not had a capital bill in over ten years and these funds will allow us to make the infrastructure improvements that are necessary to improve our economy and put people back to work."

SPRINGFIELD, IL –State Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville) announced this week that the state’s first comprehensive capital construction plan in a decade has been signed into law. The roughly $30 billion spending plan will put thousands of people back to work and pour billions of dollars into repairing Illinois’ aging schools, roads, bridges, water and sewer systems and more.

AURORA, IL— State Sen. Linda Holmes (D – Aurora) applauded Governor Pat Quinn’s decision to move forward with a $31 billion capital works program this week.

“Since I started running for office, passing a substantial capital bill has been my top priority,” Holmes said. “Our current economic downturn has only increased the necessity for this type of program. I am pleased that the governor is signing this measure that will put our residents back to work.”

Chicago, Illinois – Senator Martin A. Sandoval Chairman of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, along with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno; Republican House Leader Tom Cross; organized labor leaders, business groups and community activists witnessed the long-awaited capital bill signed by Governor Pat Quinn in Chicago.

CHAMPAIGN, IL –State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) praised Governor Pat Quinn’s decision to sign a $31 billion capital works program into law this afternoon.

“I am thankful that the governor has decided to move forward with the capital bill at this time,” Frerichs said. “This program will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs for our residents and jumpstart our local economy. Our state’s infrastructure has been neglected for a long time and I am glad that we are reinvesting in our state and its people.”

Springfield, IL— State Senators Toi Hutchinson (D – Olympia Fields) attended a signing ceremony today at which Governor Quinn signed the $30 billion comprehensive capital plan, bringing thousands of jobs to Illinois and fixing crumbling infrastructure across the state.

“This capital plan was one of our top priorities this session and it feels good to see it coming into fruition,” Hutchinson said. “Finally we are bringing jobs to the people of Illinois. The unemployment rate keeps rising and jobs are becoming harder and harder to find. This will give people the opportunity to find a steady, good-paying job.”

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) applauded the governor’s decision to sign the capital bill into law today. Senator Delgado said the legislation will help stimulate our economy by putting people back to work.

"Local projects that will be funded through this legislation include facility improvements to both local schools and area health and community centers," said Delgado, Chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee."

"Illinois has not had a capital bill in over ten years, and our local infrastructure has suffered for it," said Delgado. "The bill will aid in revitalizing communities throughout the District."