Macon Reporter

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 Macon County include $175,000 to the City of Decatur for infrastructure improvements; $120,000 to Decatur Memorial Hospital for all costs associated with construction of a pedestrian corridor; and $100,000 to the Village of Mount Zion Fire Department for all costs associated with the purchase of equipment and/or infrastructure improvements.

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 Macon County 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	City of Decatur	Decatur	Macon	$175,000	The sum of $175,000, 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 Decatur for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Decatur Memorial Hospital	Decatur	Macon	$120,000	The sum of $120,000, 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 Decatur Memorial Hospital for all costs associated with construction of a pedestrian corridor.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Mt. Zion Fire Department	Mt. Zion	Macon	$100,000	The sum of $100,000, 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 Village of Mt. Zion Fire Department for all costs associated with the purchase of equipment and/or infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Hickory Point Fire Department	Forsyth	Macon	$90,000	The sum of $90,000, 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 Hickory Point Fire Department for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Argenta-Oreana Fire Protection District	Argenta	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 Argenta-Oreana Fire Protection District for all costs associated with renovation and/or rehabilitation of the Argenta-Oreana Firehouse, to include all prior incurred costs.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Decatur Christian School	Decatur	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 Decatur Christian School for all costs associated with infrastructure, public safety, and security improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Decatur Park District	Decatur	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 Decatur Park District for costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	St. Teresa High School	Decatur	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 St. Teresa High School for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	South Macon Fire Protection District	Macon	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 South Macon Fire Protection District for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Maroa Fire Protection District	Maroa	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 Maroa Fire Protection District for all costs associated with infrastructure, public safety, and security improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Warrensburg Fire Department	Warrensburg	Macon	$50,000	The sum of $50,000, 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 Village of Warrensburg Fire Department for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Hickory Point Fire Department	Forsyth	Macon	$47,337	The sum of $47,337, 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 Hickory Point Fire Department for all costs associated with infrastructure, public safety, and security improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Forsyth	Forsyth	Macon	$1	The sum of $1, 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 Village of Forsyth for all costs associated with infrastructure, public safety, and security improvements.