Madigan, Davis Introduce Legislation To Build Obama Presidential Library
From the Associated Press
Illinois' House Speaker and Democratic Party chair has introduced legislation he hopes will lure President Barack Obama to choose Illinois as the site of his presidential library and museum, an effort that could be part of a push later this year to approve a new capital construction bill.
Speaker Michael Madigan and fellow Chicago Democratic Rep. Monique Davis announced the plan late Tuesday afternoon. It would devote $100 million in state capital funding for the construction of the library and museum, effective in July.
Madigan, who noted Illinois has a "long and proud tradition as the birthplace or home of some of our country's most influential commanders in chief," said it's important that Illinois makes a strong financial commitment to honor the legacy of a favorite son.
Just how Illinois — which faces a $5.4 billion backlog of unpaid bills — will pay for such a plan is unclear, however.
Steve Brown, a spokesman for the speaker, said a time frame on how the money would be appropriated has not been set, noting the state "will need a new capital plan to accommodate programs like this one."
The last capital construction program, passed by the Legislature in 2009, funded $31 billion in projects around the state, through approving video gambling and taxing liquor, soft drinks and candy, and increasing driver's license fees.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
Illinois' House Speaker and Democratic Party chair has introduced legislation he hopes will lure President Barack Obama to choose Illinois as the site of his presidential library and museum, an effort that could be part of a push later this year to approve a new capital construction bill.
Speaker Michael Madigan and fellow Chicago Democratic Rep. Monique Davis announced the plan late Tuesday afternoon. It would devote $100 million in state capital funding for the construction of the library and museum, effective in July.
Madigan, who noted Illinois has a "long and proud tradition as the birthplace or home of some of our country's most influential commanders in chief," said it's important that Illinois makes a strong financial commitment to honor the legacy of a favorite son.
Just how Illinois — which faces a $5.4 billion backlog of unpaid bills — will pay for such a plan is unclear, however.
Steve Brown, a spokesman for the speaker, said a time frame on how the money would be appropriated has not been set, noting the state "will need a new capital plan to accommodate programs like this one."
The last capital construction program, passed by the Legislature in 2009, funded $31 billion in projects around the state, through approving video gambling and taxing liquor, soft drinks and candy, and increasing driver's license fees.
Read more in our daily News Update...