To: Governor J.B. Pritzker
Gov. Rauner: Stop the Illiana Boondoggle
Illinois PIRG
The proposed Illiana Expressway would be a massive waste of Illinois taxpayer dollars. Invest in fixing our roads and bridges and in more and better transportation options instead of building unnecessary new highways.
Why is this important?
The proposed Illiana expressway would run from Indiana to Illinois, south of Chicago, cutting through farmland and threatening the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.
The Iliana is projected to cost anywhere between $1.3 to $2.8 billion, and Illinois taxpayers would be on the hook for anywhere between $690 million to $1.35 billion of the costs.
Driving has been declining in Illinois over the last decade, including in the region the Illiana would serve yet the Illiana planners justify the project with predictions that driving will steadily increase every year for the next thirty years.
That's why Illinois PIRG highlighted the expressway as one of 11 highway boondoggles across the country.
Governor Rauner has not taken a position on the Illiana but his transition team recommend he "pause and review" all major infrastructure projects. It also recommended prioritizing maintaining our current infrastructure over major expansions.
Tell Governor Rauner to put the brakes on the Illiana boondoggle.
The Iliana is projected to cost anywhere between $1.3 to $2.8 billion, and Illinois taxpayers would be on the hook for anywhere between $690 million to $1.35 billion of the costs.
Driving has been declining in Illinois over the last decade, including in the region the Illiana would serve yet the Illiana planners justify the project with predictions that driving will steadily increase every year for the next thirty years.
That's why Illinois PIRG highlighted the expressway as one of 11 highway boondoggles across the country.
Governor Rauner has not taken a position on the Illiana but his transition team recommend he "pause and review" all major infrastructure projects. It also recommended prioritizing maintaining our current infrastructure over major expansions.
Tell Governor Rauner to put the brakes on the Illiana boondoggle.