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Rauner's Infrastructure Goal Lacks Concrete Funds

Gov. Bruce Rauner says he has big plans for the state's infrastructure. He addressed the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association on Tuesday in Springfield.

Rauner told the group, whose members benefit when the state spends money on roads, that Illinois will invest more on infrastructure in the next four years than ever before. He gave no clear indication of where the money would come from.

"Local control, voter empowerment, we will thrive. Help me get that done, we're gonna have the best infrastructure in America," Rauner said. "It's going to free up huge resources, and I want to invest billions of dollars in our infrastructure in the coming years. Billions and billions."

Rauner says his pension plan is one of the ways the state can save money. The Republican governor says Illinois will save $2.7 billion in the first year, by reducing workers' benefits going forward.

Critics say his plan is unconstitutional and will never pass.

Lisa Ryan is a graduate student in the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. She previously worked at Indiana Public Radio and the college radio station founded by David Letterman. She is a 2014 broadcast journalism and political science graduate of Ball State University.
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