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(*denotes
new items for 2006)
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS:
Infrastructure is vital to the economic vitality of Southwestern
Illinois and surrounding areas. The Illinois Department of Transportation
and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
through the Opportunity Returns program have already funded several
vital transportation projects in southwestern Illinois such as Illinois
Route 159, Illinois Route 157, Interstate 255 extension, Interstate
64 expansion, Illinois Route 3 connector, St. Clair County light
rail, and the planning and engineering for the new Mississippi River
bridge. Additional items have been identified for long-term bridge,
highway and mass transit needs: (1) planning of the Gateway Connector
for Madison/St. Clair County; (2) lane additions and rehabilitation
of the I-270 corridor; (3) evaluation of the I-270 canal and river
bridges; (4) expansion of MetroLink light rail from Scott Air Force
Base to MidAmerica Airport in St. Clair County; and (5) increased
funding for Madison and St. Clair counties’ transit districts.
Support continued funding for transportation projects in Southwestern
Illinois to augment the region’s economic growth. Support the region’s
listed projects in Illinois Department of Transportation Highway
Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2006- 2011. Support the projects
listed for Southwestern Illinois in the Opportunity Returns program.
Support increased funding for public transportation in Madison and
St. Clair counties.
ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH*:
Illinois has lagged behind the nation in attracting and stimulating
venture capital investments. Last year, legislation was introduced
to create the Illinois Opportunity Fund, a private venture capital
fund. The Illinois Opportunity Fund would be a “fund of funds” that
would raise almost $200 million from private sector investors. The
funds would be managed by private sector experts and would invest
in a diverse cross section of existing venture capital funds that
commit to investing in Illinois based companies. The Opportunity
Fund Act also would reduce the state’s corporate income tax revenue.
Besides increasing the availability of venture capital, Illinois
can do much more to create entrepreneurial culture, such as increasing
assistance and program offerings at the small business development
centers and entrepreneurship centers.
Support the Opportunity Fund Act to increase venture capital
investment opportunities in Illinois. Support policies that increase
access to seed capital for new technology-based enterprises. Increase
funding to entrepreneurship centers and to the Innovation Challenge
Grant program.
SIUE-SCIENCE LAB:
Built in 1966, the Science Laboratory and Classroom Building at
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) houses classrooms,
instructional laboratories, research laboratories and faculty offices
for the Departments of Biological Sciences, Che-mistry, Mathematics
and Statistics, Physics, the Office of Science and Mathematics Education
and the Environmental Sciences Program. The growth of programs and
student enrollment in the sciences and the importance of laboratory
experiences for general education have strained the capacity of
an aging facility to the point of severely limiting its functionality.
Piecemeal modifications to the building have seriously taxed the
building’s HVAC, electrical and mechanical systems, causing these
systems to fail on a regular basis. The renovation and expansion
program calls for a total of 215,150 gross square footage (GSF)
to house state-of-the-art teaching classrooms and laboratories,
research laboratories, faculty offices and all support spaces. Planning
money for architectural renderings and engineering work has been
programmed in the state budget for FY 2006; however, construction
of the Science Lab will be funded from an appropriation from the
state’s capital budget.
Support funding for the renovation of office, classroom, laboratory
space, support services and the expansion of the Science Laboratory
and Classroom Building.
SIUE-SCHOOL OF PHARMACY:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is establishing
a School of Pharmacy to serve the health care needs of the St. Louis
region and central/southern Illinois. With the addition of the School
of Pharmacy, SIUE provides undergraduate and graduate dental, medicine,
nursing and pharmacy programs. SIUE also offers the necessary general
education, mathematics, and science courses that are required of
pre-pharmacy students and graduate transfers. The School of Pharmacy
expands SIUE’s education and public service to the St. Louis region
and central/southern Illinois. A new building in University Park
will house the laboratories and other essential equipment. The first
class entered in 2005 with 80 students.
Support the continued state funding of the SIUE School of Pharmacy
with an appropriation from the Board of Higher Education.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS*:
For Southwestern Illinois to remain competitive in attracting high-technology
companies, the availability of reliable, state-of the art telecommunications
infrastructure must be in place. High-speed telecommunications are
essential for business productivity and options. The last rewrite
of the telecommunications regulations in Illinois occurred in 1985—ancient
history in this dynamic and inventive industry.
Support policies that encourage investment in technology infrastructure
and promote customer choice. Support reform of telecommunications
regulations to spur competition and to adequately address the current
marketplace in the telecommunications industry.
COAL INDUSTRY*:
Illinois has a 250-year supply of coal, the largest bituminous coal
resource of any state in the United States. Coal not only plays
a vital role as an energy source, but the industries involved in
mining, transportation and the use of coal provide thousands of
jobs in Southwestern Illinois communities. With new clean-burning
coal plants and new gasification processes, coal has become an attractive
energy option. The Department of Energy will soon choose a site
for a 275-megawatt, near-zero-emissions, pilot plant that will gasify
coal to produce both electricity and surplus hydrogen for uses such
as fuel cells. Southern Illinois would be an ideal location for
this new pilot plant.
Support efforts to attract the FutureGen project in downstate
Illinois.
BROWNFIELD FUNDING:
The Brownfield Site Restoration Program reimburses developers for
the costs associated with the cleanup of brownfield sites. This
brownfield program provides a "win-win” situation for the state
of Illinois, local jurisdictions and the private sector. Environmental
problems can be properly cleaned up; commercial development can
be promoted; older industrial sites can be competitive with green
field sites; local communities can be revitalized; and new tax revenues
can be generated.
Support increased funding for the Brownfield Site Restoration
Program.
REGULATION OF ISOLATED WETLANDS:
Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) and a coalition of
other business interests and associations have developed a proposal
to submit to the General Assembly in response to the United States
Supreme Court’s decision in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook
County v. United States Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Supreme
Court ruled that certain waters of the United States- referred to
as isolated waters- would no longer be subject to the jurisdiction
of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ permitting procedures under
the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court decision created a regulatory
gap, but business groups agree that certain wetlands deserve regulatory
oversight. The appropriate regulatory agency should be the Illinois
EPA to allow consistent, statewide regulations of isolated wetlands.
A consistent policy would enable a fair and level-playing field
for development of wetlands.
Support legislation that establishes a balanced approach towards
regulating and developing wetlands.
CIVIL LAW:
Illinois has gained a national reputation as being receptive to
nationwide class action suits that posses a tenuous connection to
the court in which the lawsuit was filed. The mismanagement of class
actions in Illinois courts has the potential to not only taint the
national perception of Illinois’ judicial system, but also impact
economic development efforts to retain or attract businesses.
Support appropriate changes to the state’s judicial systems to
foster a positive economic development climate. |
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