A measure to support the Chicago Transit Authority was denied by the Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday night, which could lead to an earlier decision on the capital construction plan.

That plan could potentially bring in $145 million to SIU if passed. The money would go toward a new transportation facility and completion of the Morris Library renovation.

The majority of bi-partisan legislators decided against a measure Wednesday night to support the CTA with $385 million of state money during a special session of the general assembly.

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Dave Gross, a spokesman for SIU, said a suggestion by State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, would merge the CTA bill with the proposed capital construction plan – a measure to pay for construction projects statewide.

Gross said the most significant debate the House dealt with is how to pay for the projects. A report from the Associated Press stated Gov. Rod Blagojevich transferred $25 million out of construction projects to support the CTA during an emergency finance move.

“That question really wasn’t answered satisfactorily to many of the members that decided to vote against the (CTA) proposal,” Gross said.

Support for CTA joins a list of issues, including restoration of budget cuts and capital construction, still drawing attention in the House. All three have problems with where the money comes from, though Gross said legislators are more accepting of a gambling expansion to finance capital construction.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said he thinks the House’s next major issue should be restoring money cut from the 2008 budget by Blagojevich to expand healthcare. Blagojevich redirected $500 million from the annual spending plan in August, which left many “pork projects” without state support. Some of those projects would be applicable for support from the capital construction plan.

Bradley said restoring the money could resolve multiple issues the House is facing. Such issues include restoring money for projects originally in the budget that may be included in capital construction, continued talks of supporting the CTA and a potential energy rate increase brought up by Ameren.

Barton Lorimor can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 274 or [email protected].

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