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Rauner Not Signaling Stance On Proposed Transportation Funding Amendment

IPR

Illinois voters this fall will have a chance to amend the state constitution. The governor refuses to say whether he supports the change. 

Illinois has gotten into the habit of using money that was supposed to be used to fill pot holes, and instead using it to fill holes in the budget.

Road contractors and construction workers got sick of it, so they came up with an idea.  Put road money in a sort of "lock box."  Amend the constitution so it has to be used on transportation needs, and nothing else.

Legislators overwhelmingly agreed to present the idea to voters, who'll get the final say on Nov. 8.

They'll do so without knowing where Gov. Bruce Rauner stands.  Rauner, a Republican, said he has an opinion. But he won't share it.

"There are pros and cons to it. So you know, at this point it's in front of the voters and I'll let the voters decide," Rauner said.

Rauner said Illinois needs to invest more in infrastructure. But he also acknowledged the lockbox idea would leave him without budget flexibility.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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