Gov. Quinn Signs $29B Capital Bill

Comprehensive Package To Create Hundreds of Thousands
of New Jobs

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn officially signed the state’s first comprehensive capital bill in more than a decade today, generating job creation and new construction statewide.

The $29 billion package is aimed at rebuilding Illinois’ crumbling infrastructure. Labor from Chicago to St. Louis will benefit from billions of dollars in bridge and road projects, as well as new funding for school construction and mass transit.

Additionally, an Illinois Jobs Now! program included in the capital bills is expected to create and retain more than 439,000 jobs over the next six years.

“After unions and business groups from around the state joined together to fight for the bipartisan passage of these bills, the governor’s signature is humbling to behold,” said John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “Hardworking men and women have a renewed opportunity to return to work and labor will be there to ensure they feel the full impact of this package.”

Gov. Quinn signed the four bills comprising the program in the auditorium of Chicago’s John Marshall High School as labor leaders from around the state looked on. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon and Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan spoke prior to the signing. Legislators in attendance were applauded for their support and determination to pass the bills.

Of new authorized projects, $15.2 billion will fund new road programs, $2 billion will serve transit developments and $1.5 billion will be provided for new school construction.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 union members throughout Illinois.

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