Cicero, Illinois - For Senator Martin A. Sandoval, Chairman of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, the $787 billion stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama is insufficient to immediately alleviate the present living conditions affecting our homeowners, our working families and their children, our seniors and particularly the unemployed.
"The Economic Stimulus Bill does not go far enough to help end this recession," said Sandoval. Although Illinois will receive several billion dollars, it only begins to address our urgent infrastructure problems. "First and foremost, it does not invest enough in transportation infrastructure spending that is one of the best ways to put people back to work immediately. In fact, for every $1 billion spent on infrastructure, up to 47,000 jobs will be created. But only 5 cents of every dollar will be used for those key projects," said Chairman Sandoval.
His colleague from the southwest Side of Chicago U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3) voted for the plan, but is also deeply concerned. "I applaud President Barack Obama for understanding the need for immediate, decisive action to revive our economy, but I still have many reservations about this bill. Solely around 5% goes toward the rail, aviation, road, and mass transit projects that should serve as the core of this package, and could really help end this recession." said Lipinski.
Education projects in Illinois will receive about two billion dollars. But it does not include any money for school construction or new libraries while the states figure out how to help homeowners in dire straits. Because the state will have total control over distribution, Chairman Sandoval demands transparency throughout the entire process.
"I am calling on Governor Pat Quinn to issue an executive order that every stage of spending these federal funds be totally transparent. I will be watching this request very closely and support Rep. Lipinski on his efforts to revise and improve the bill ," said Sandoval who represents 250,000 residents of the 12th Legislative District that includes the Southwest Side of Chicago, the Town of Cicero, the Village of Stickney and the City of Berwyn.
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