At a press conference in Normal, Illinois, U.S.. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville, Mayor of Normal Chris Koos, representatives from Transportation for America and other local stakeholders unveiled legislation that would give local communities in Illinois better access to federal transportation funds to invest in innovative projects that would boost local economies.
Currently, a majority of federal highway funds are given to the states to spend at their discretion. The input and ability of local governments to decide how to use those funds is limited. The Innovation in Surface Transportation Act would create an in-state grant program that would allow a percentage of those funds to be competitively bid-for by eligible local entities.
Davis and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada will introduce the bill in the House next week.