So
I wasn’t shocked to learn that Rauner’s first actions included putting a halt
to any planning for interstate construction. That includes the proposed Illiana
Expressway that Quinn always touted any time he was on the South Side or surrounding
suburbs.
BECAUSE
THERE, LOCAL officials perceive construction of an interstate highway
stretching from Interstate 65 near Lowell, Ind., to Interstate 55 near
Wilmington (which is just south of Joliet) as being a source of jobs and a way
to spur future economic development south of the city.
Bringing
up Illiana, along with construction of a new airport in the farm fields of
rural Will County north of Peotone, was always a way for Quinn to get cheers
and applause – along with votes.
If
all of Illinois had voted like the South Side and south suburbs, Quinn would
have kicked Rauner’s behind back on Election Day last year.
But
they didn’t, and Quinn didn’t. We have “Gov. Rauner” now, and he said during
the campaign he doesn’t think much of the Illiana project (and the third
airport, either).
SO
NOW, ILLINOIS is doing a financial review. Rauner aides say it’s about fiscal
responsibility and making sure money is not being wasted during construction.
Although
I suspect it’s also about not expending too much state effort on parts of the
state that weren’t all that supportive of the Rauner campaign during the election
cycle. Seriously, some of those suburbs in Thornton and Bloom townships gave up
to 90 percent of their voter support to Quinn.
So
this is a political move all too similar to the way past politicos have
operated. Not exactly conduct becoming of someone who claims to be the “nobody”
that “nobody sent.”
Although
since Rauner was clear during the campaign cycle that he didn’t support
Illiana, I don’t think we have much of a right to be shocked and appalled that
he would make its demise one of his first actions.
EVEN
THOUGH THAT demise now leaves unanswered a very serious question – what will be
done to alleviate the congested mess that occurs all too frequently on
Interstate 80 just south of Chicago proper?
That
road is heavily used by truckers shipping goods from other parts of the country
into Chicago. Anyone who has ever driven on the interstate near the
Illinois/Indiana border knows how nerve-wracking it can be to get caught up in
a truck-laced traffic jam.
One
of the purposes of the Illiana proposal is to give those freight trucks that
are merely passing through metro Chicago (and not specifically stopping here)
an alternate route to alleviate the Interstate 80 traffic.
Now
that Rauner is moving in ways to obliterate the Illiana (although Indiana state
officials say they’re prepared to build their portion of the road regardless of
Illinois’ problems with the project), it will be interesting to see how the new
governor addresses the traffic congestion problem.
BECAUSE
THE ISSUE is not going away. It is a serious one. It is not something Rauner
can ignore. If he does, he will be messing with the transportation of goods
into and out of the Chicago area, which impacts the state’s economic bottom
line!
I’d like to think Rauner knows better.
Although the idea of a politician causing problems inadvertently because of
their desire to oppose something or someone (Quinn??!?) else is nothing new in
Illinois.
It
is likely the third airport concept could meet a similar fate, although that is
a Federal Aviation Administration project and the federal government has final
say over whether it proceeds.
But
federal officials have said before they want local support for the airport
project, which means Rauner apathy could cause them to lose good will – and the
southern part of metro Chicago could wind up losing its two major projects
meant to bolster the local economy.
-30-
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