AASHTO Journal, 13 May 2016
Voters in Illinois will get to decide in November whether to back a constitutional change that would prevent the state government from diverting revenue meant for transportation to other budget needs.
The Chicago Tribune reported that if voters opt to change the Illinois constitution to effectively put transportation funding in a “lockbox,” all money raised through motor fuel taxes, vehicle licensing fees or other transportation-related levies would be walled off against budget raids.
“That money could then only be spent on road construction and repair, enforcing traffic laws, paying off debt on transit projects and even costs associated with workers injured on the job,” the Tribune said.
It also noted that the constitutional change would not apply to state and local sales taxes, which are often added on top of the motor fuel taxes motorists pay at the pump.
The effort comes as the state’s list of needed infrastructure projects continues to grow beyond available funding levels, in keeping with the trend across the nation.
Meanwhile, the Tribune reported, in Illinois “money earmarked for transportation projects is routinely diverted to fill other budget holes.”
The story noted that some infrastructure investment advocates groups have called for an increase in the state’s motor fuel taxes, for the first time since 1991, but Illinois lawmakers instead opted to put the proposed lockbox constitutional amendment on the ballot.
If voters agree and decide to wall off the transportation funds, that might only be a first step toward addressing the investment need, however. The story also said the Metropolitan Planning Council estimates Illinois will need to put $43 billion more into transportation over the next 10 years to clear a maintenance project backlog and put roads and bridges in good condition.