Rockford Sun

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 the Rockford area include $232,500 to the City of Belvidere for all costs associated with transportation enhancement for the construction of extending the Kishwaukee Riverfront Multi-Use Path and landscaping in the downtown warehouse district; $200,000 to the Rockford Mass Transit District for infrastructure improvements; $200,000 to Rock Valley College for all costs associated with reconstruction of the Stenstrom Center; and $150,000 to Carpenter's Place for 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 the Rockford area 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 Belvidere	Belvidere	Boone	$232,500	The sum of $232,500, 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 Belvidere for all costs associated with transportation enhancement for the construction of extending the Kishwaukee Riverfront Multi-Use Path and landscaping in the downtown warehouse district.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Rockford Mass Transit District	Rockford	Winnebago	$200,000	The sum of $200,000, 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 Rockford Mass Transit District for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Rock Valley College	Rockford	Winnebago	$200,000	The sum of $200,000, 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 Rock Valley College for all costs associated with reconstruction of Stenstrom Center.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Carpenter’s Place	Rockford	Winnebago	$150,000	The sum of $150,000, 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 Carpenter’s Place for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Progressive West Rockford Community Development Corporation	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Progressive West Rockford Community Development Corporation for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Rock Valley College	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Rock Valley College for all costs associated with remodeling the science lab and other capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Winnebago County		Winnebago	$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 Winnebago County for all costs associated with capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Northwest Community Center	Rockford	Winnebago	$75,000	The sum of $75,000, 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 Northwest Community Center for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Sheridan Crossing	Rockford	Winnebago	$75,000	The sum of $75,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Sheridan Crossing for general infrastructure, upgrades, and renovations.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Poplar Grove	Poplar Grove	Boone	$71,882	The sum of $71,882, 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 Poplar Grove for all costs associated with construction of low flow channels.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Capron	Capron	Boone	$65,109	The sum of $65,109, 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 Capron for all costs associated with water/sewer infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Machesney Park	Machesney Park	Winnebago	$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 Machesney Park for capital road improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Winnebago County Health Department	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Winnebago County Health Department for infrastructure improvements to the Ellis Heights United Neighborhood Center.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Janet Wattles Mental Health Center, Inc	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Janet Wattles Mental Health Center, Inc. for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Young Women’s Christian Association of Rockford	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Young Women’s Christian Association of Rockford, Illinois for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Blackhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Inc	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Blackhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Inc. for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Boys and Girls Club of Rockford	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Boys and Girls Club of Rockford for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Girl Scouts-Rock River Valley Council	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Girl Scouts-Rock River Valley Council for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Rockford Memorial Hospital	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Rockford Memorial Hospital for all costs associated with the expansion of the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit and other capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Swedish American Hospital	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 Swedish American Hospital for capital improvements to the x-ray and emergency room facilities and other capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	YMCA of Rock River Valley	Rockford	Winnebago	$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 YMCA of Rock River Valley for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Winnebago County		Winnebago	$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 Winnebago County for all costs associated with the construction of an emergency vehicle garage and other capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Cherry Valley Public Library	Cherry Valley	Winnebago	$40,000	The sum of $40,000, 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 Cherry Valley Public Library for all costs associated with capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Lifescape Community Services, Inc	Rockford	Winnebago	$37,500	The sum of $37,500, 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 Lifescape Community Services, Inc. for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	La Voz Latina	Rockford	Winnebago	$35,000	The sum of $35,000, 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 La Voz Latina for all costs associated with classroom improvements and the purchase and installation of a fire sprinkler system.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Township of Roscoe	Roscoe Township	Winnebago	$35,000	The sum of $35,000, 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 Township of Roscoe for all costs associated with capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Roscoe	Roscoe	Winnebago	$30,000	The sum of $30,000, 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 Roscoe for all costs associated with Village Park and playground construction/renovation.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Village of Poplar Grove	Poplar Grove	Boone	$25,000	The sum of $25,000, 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 Poplar Grove for all costs associated with capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Blackhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America	Rockford	Winnebago	$25,000	The sum of $25,000, 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 Blackhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America for all costs associated with a program and administration building.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Blackhawk Area Council Boy Scouts of America	Rockford	Winnebago	$25,000	The sum of $25,000, 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 Blackhawk Area Council Boy Scouts of America for all costs associated with the construction and capital improvements of the program and administration building.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Boys and Girls Club of Rockford	Rockford	Winnebago	$25,000	The sum of $25,000, 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 Boys and Girls Club of Rockford for all costs associated with the Carlson facility capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Shelter, Inc	Rockford	Winnebago	$25,000	The sum of $25,000, 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 Shelter, Inc. for general infrastructure upgrades.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Booker Washington Center	Rockford	Winnebago	$15,000	The sum of $15,000, 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 Booker Washington Center for all costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	City of South Beloit	South Beloit	Winnebago	$12,557	The sum of $12,557, 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 South Beloit for all costs associated with purchase/installation of the Fire Department overhead doors plus rear apron and pavement.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Winnebago County Forest Preserve District	Rockford	Winnebago	$6,254	The sum of $6,254, 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 Winnebago County Forest Preserve District for capital improvements to the Macktown Historic District Barn and other capital improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Barbara Olson Center of Hope, Inc	Rockford	Winnebago	$1,700	The sum of $1,700, 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 Barbara Olson Center of Hope, Inc. for infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Rockford Public Library Foundation	Rockford	Winnebago	$612	The sum of $612, 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 Rockford Public Library Foundation for Montague Branch infrastructure improvements.
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	City of Belvidere	Belvidere	Boone	$168	The sum of $168, 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 Belvidere for all costs associated with the purchase of a street sweeper and capital improvements.