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Rauner Cannot Go Anywhere Without Being Reminded of Two-Year Budget Crisis

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Macomb Bypass Project Shut Down Last Year When Rauner Vetoed State Budget

Today, Governor Bruce Rauner will attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at a project that exemplifies the consequences of Rauner’s two-year budget crisis. The Macomb Bypass was one of about 700 projects halted last year when Rauner vetoed the state’s first budget in two-years. The project was restarted after Rauner’s veto was overturned by a bipartisan group of legislators, ending the longest budget impasse “in the nation’s modern history.”
“Wherever Bruce Rauner goes, he’ll be reminded by the consequences of his failed leadership,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner’s two-year budget crisis threatened Illinois’ future by loading the state up with debt, gutting the higher education system, and threatening needed infrastructure projects. The Macomb Bypass project was almost another victim of Rauner’s failure.”
Today’s event also continues Rauner’s newest tradition of holding ribbon cutting events at projects commenced under his predecessors. Last week, Rauner re-announced the rebuilding of Peoria’s McClugage Bridge, previously announced in 2013.

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Background:
THE MACOMB BYPASS PROJECT WAS ONE OF THE PROJECTS JEOPARDIZED BY THE BUDGET IMPASSE’S FORCED CONSTRUCTION SHUTDOWN
Herald-Whig: “Work On The Macomb Bypass Is Among The Largest Projects In West-Central Illinois That Would Be Halted” By The Budget Impasse. “Illinois highway construction worth $2.3 billion could be halted at the end of the month because of the state budget impasse… Work on the Macomb bypass is among the largest projects in West-Central Illinois that would be halted. The state already has spent $23.9 million on the 6.5-mile project. Another $12.1 million of work remains to be done.” [Herald-Whig, 5/16/17]
Statewide Construction Was Halted On July 3, 2017. “Road construction workers across the state will begin returning to their jobs after the Illinois Department of Transportation said construction projects can resume with Thursday’s approval of a full-year state budget. Workers were sent home or not called in at all on Monday, the first work day of the state fiscal year amid the ongoing budget impasse that led to the state shutting down approximately 900 transportation projects totaling $3.3 billion, according to one of the state’s largest contractor associations. The Illinois Department of Transportation estimated 20,000 workers were affected.” [State Journal-Register, 7/7/17]
RAUNER’S BUDGET CRISIS STALLED $3.3 BILLION IN ROADWORK PROJECTS AND WASTED ABOUT $30 MILLION TO HALT AND THEN RESTART THEM
HEADLINE: “IDOT Says State Road Projects Can Resume With New Budget” [State Journal-Register, 7/7/17]
Road Construction Halted Temporarily Until The Budget Impasse Ended, Forcing The Shutdown Of Transportation Projects Totaling $3.3 Billion And Affecting An Estimated 20,000 Workers. “Road construction workers across the state will begin returning to their jobs after the Illinois Department of Transportation said construction projects can resume with Thursday’s approval of a full-year state budget.  Workers were sent home or not called in at all on Monday, the first work day of the state fiscal year amid the ongoing budget impasse that led to the state shutting down approximately 900 transportation projects totaling $3.3 billion, according to one of the state’s largest contractor associations.  The Illinois Department of Transportation estimated 20,000 workers were affected.” [State Journal-Register, 7/7/17]
Shutting Down And Then Restarting The 700 Road Projects Throughout The State Was Estimated To Cost Around $30 Million. “Illinois had gone 736 days without a budget, and the state told road contractors it would not be able to pay them after June 30. The costs of shutting down 700 projects across the state, maintaining the sites during the work stoppage and then starting work up again could be more than $30 million, based on estimates provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation before June 30.” [Chicago Tribune, 7/9/17]
THE MACOMB BYPASS PROJECT WAS STARTED IN 2012
The Macomb Bypass Project Was Pushed Back In 2017, After Being Delayed Several Other Times Since Its Inception In 2012.“Illinois Department of Transportation officials say the new Macomb bypass likely won’t be opened this year as anticipated.  The bypass project started in 2012, but has been subject to multiple delays.” [WGEM, 10/27/17]