Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation today announced $94 million has been awarded to improve public airports throughout the state through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. The $94 million unlocks $11.5 million in local contributions for a total investment of $105 million. The funding represents the largest statewide capital investment program for airports in state history, highlighting the governor’s ongoing commitment to the role of aviation in the Illinois economy.
“We’re delivering $94 million to airports throughout the state including funding at St. Louis Regional, Central Illinois Regional, Peoria International, Quincy Regional, Rochelle Municipal, and many more aviation sites around the state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Crucially, these dollars are going first and foremost to projects that might not otherwise be eligible for the full federal funding that they need to finish. We want our airports throughout the state to be the best in the nation, and these airport grants are making a real difference. Every community deserves prosperity, safety, resiliency, and opportunity – and that’s what this program seeks to advance.”
The 96 projects selected for funding will help meet the needs of airports large and small in both urban and rural communities. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.
Among the projects receiving funding, with local contributions included:
- Taylorville Municipal Airport, $1.4 million for runway rehabilitation.
- Shelby County Airport, $460,000 toward hangar construction.
- Effingham County Memorial Airport, $3.5 million for runway extension, $1.5 million for taxiway extension.
The Decatur Airport will also receive funding to reconstruct select portions of the Airport Terminal Entrance road, and to reconstruct North Aircraft T‐Hangar Access Pavements.
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