The Illinois General Assembly is looking to pass a bill that earmarks $166.5 million for various projects in lawmakers home districts across the state.
The bill, SB 2216 or the FY 18 Member Initiatives, contains appropriations for over 1,800 different projects across the state, with money coming from special state funds not related to the general operating budget. It was introduced by Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington).
State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) called the appropriations "earmarks" and "wasteful."
"I was shocked to see Senator Bill Brady's recently filed SB 2216, which is described as 'FY 18 Member Initiatives,'" McSweeney said. "Special earmarks lead to wasteful spending and potentially corruption. I strongly oppose special insider earmarks."
Projects in Carbondale include $96 for the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale for building infrastructure and $126,148 to the City of Carbondale for infrastructure improvements and the purchase of bondable equipment.
Some of the biggest of these appropriations include approximately $6.4 million to the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority for a Metra station at Peterson Avenue and Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago; $3.75 million to Kankakee Community College for infrastructure improvements; and $3 million to the Chicago Park District for the construction of a sports recreation facility in Morgan Park.
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What projects in Carbondale are being funded by SB 2216?
The table below shows the projects in the area that are being funded by this appropriations bill.
| Department | Recipient | Recipient City | Recipient County | Total $ | Copy |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale | Carbondale | Jackson | $96 | The sum of $96, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale for all costs associated with building infrastructure. |
| Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | City of Carbondale | Carbondale | Jackson | $126,148 | The sum of $126,148, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Carbondale for infrastructure improvements and the purchase of bondable equipment. |
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