Capital Bills On Quinn's Desk;
Sweeney Calls for Signature
July 1, 2009- In the closing days of the Illinois legislature’s special session, the bills that make up the $30 billion "Illinois Jobs Now" capital construction package made their way to what will hopefully be their final stop before signing on Governor Patrick Quinn’s desk.
The bills had been placed on hold on May 22nd after Quinn indicated that he would not sign them at that time. Several adjustments were made, including the addition of a high-speed rail project supported by Quinn and President Obama, before the bills were sent to Quinn for signing last night.
"When labor met with Governor Quinn, he asked us to get the bills to his desk so he could sign them. He asked for it, and we delivered," said President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney. "Yesterday, he asked members of the House and Senate to quit playing politics and get their job done. We are asking him to do the same by signing these bills and putting tradesmen and women back to work."
With other large issues such as reform and budget issues also at the forefront, it is crucial that Governor Quinn remember how badly Illinois’ working families need the capital bills to be signed. Please take a moment to call Governor Quinn’s office at (217) 782-0244 and urge him to sign the bills and get Illinois back to work!
"Jumpstart" Bill Putting
Members to Work
May 15, 2009 - Today's Special Letting by the Illinois Department of Transportation included approximately $400 million in road and bridge work statewide. The bill, passed in early April, will release nearly $2 billion in road and bridge work through three special lettings between April and July of 2009.
Click HERE for a list of project awards from IDOT's June 12, 2009 Letting
Click HERE for a list of project awards from IDOT's May 15, 2009 Special Letting
Click HERE for a list of project awards from IDOT's April 24, 2009 Letting
Springfield Stalemate Stalls Construction Bill
CBS 2 News- June 9, 2009
Unemployed Local 150 member Jerry Maholy was interviewed
for this story about the status of the Capital Bill in Illinois.
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Local projects funded with video poker, alcohol taxes, vehicle fees
Daily Herald- June 8, 2009
About Local 150
Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, is a labor organization representing employees principally in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. At 23,000 strong, Local 150 is one of the largest local unions in the Country. Originally chartered as a construction union, Local 150 now represents working people in a variety of industries including construction, construction materials production, steel mill services/slag processing, landscaping, and many, many others.