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Illinois Gets "C" For Maintaining Infrastructure

ASCE

A group of civil engineers says Illinois needs to pay more attention to maintaining its infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state a "C-minus" on its report cardearlier this year. Darren Olsen, who's with the group, says recent breakdowns in infrastructure have gotten national attention, but he wants to turn that attention into action.

Credit ASCE

"We do hope that we can find sustainable infrastructure funding mechanisms so that we don't need to come to these precipices over and over again where the highway trust fund is going to go insolvent or our waterways are going to start deteriorating because the water resources bill doesn't get passed." -Darren Olsen, ASCE

Olsen says Congress' recent deference of highway funding could lead to even more expenses down the road. Here in Illinois, Olsen says roads are an issue, as well as public transit systems and waterways.

Copyright 2014 WNIJ Northern Public Radio

Hannah covers state government and politics for NPR Illinois and Illinois Public Radio. She previously covered the statehouse for The Daily Line and Law360, and also worked a temporary stint at the political blog Capitol Fax in 2018.