Towns prepare wish lists for stimulus funds

January 21, 2009
Hal Dardick: Chicago Tribune

If the federal government comes up with the money for an economic stimulus plan, Chicago and Cook County will line up for cash to fund transportation and construction projects, including Stroger Hospital, jail and road work.

Brian Steele of the Chicago Department of Transportation said the agency wants to proceed with projects such as rebuilding the north-south leg of Wacker Drive to Congress and Chicago Transit Authority subway station renovations. But he said the city is still developing its list of projects to submit for the economic stimulus package.

"I do know that we are looking at covering the gamut of infrastructure: roads, bridges, transit, etc.," he said.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has said there are nearly 300 highway, transit, airport and railroad projects that can begin immediately if the estimated $2.37 billion necessary becomes available. Bruce Washington, Cook's director of capital planning, said the county has 46 "shovel-ready" construction projects at various stages of development that would cost $366 million.

Precisely how those projects would be funded, and whether the federal government would help, have been discussed during recent meetings looking at County Board President Todd Stroger's proposed budget. He is asking the board to approve borrowing about $285 million to pay for capital improvements and equipment purchases, but the bond deal has yet to be approved.

"We should not be voting on the bonds for capital until we know the full extent of the money availability through federal and state stimulus plans," Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) said. That's because the county cannot seek federal or state money once it approves bonds for specific projects, he said.

Among the larger projects on the county's wish list:

A plan to build new jail intake and medical treatment units is $87 million short in funding.

Other jail projects: $5.2 million to renovate jail space to include a women's justice service center and $6 million to install video cameras at the jail and outlying courthouses.

The county still needs $35 million to complete an expansion of the garage at Stroger Hospital. The county also is looking for $4 million to expand a laboratory for its public health system.

The county highway department has compiled a list of 42 projects that need more than $225 million to move forward. Among the projects are $7 million to rebuild Western Avenue, $5 million for Ashland Avenue and $4 million for Narragansett Avenue.

Ongoing projects on IDOT's wish list:

The elimination of slow zones for Chicago Transit Authority trains as part of a plan to improve tracks, stations and yards and improve mass transit at $1.2 billion.

A plan for rail improvements that includes creating vehicle overpasses and underpasses at 25 locations in the city and suburbs and six railroad bridges to separate freight trains from passenger trains.

Tribune reporter Jon Hilkevitch contributed.

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