Occasionally, political news releases aren’t particularly newsworthy.
Take one that flashed up on a U.S. Senate website earlier in the week.
Sen. Roland Burris’ website reported Wednesday that the Town of Normal will receive about $1.766 million in federal funds for the multimodal transportation center.
“I am pleased that Normal is being awarded this valuable grant.” said Senator Burris. “These funds give a green light to important projects that will not only ensure Normal has an efficient and sustainable transportation facility, but will be integral in creating jobs for Illinoisans.”
Every word in the Senator’s news release is accurate.
Turns out that was funding that Senators Durbin and Obama and Congressmen Johnson and Weller obtained for the Town sometime ago, but had yet to be formally received. If you were an accountant, you would call it a receivable.
Mayor Koos explains on WJBC.
The Town is still hoping to receive much more funding for our incredibly shovel-ready multimodal transportation center. More than 300 construction jobs could be created immediately, if our friends in government choose to fund this project.
State Representative Dan Brady has been working particularly hard on the Town’s behalf. We are grateful for Dan’s support.
When the Illinois General Assembly finally passes a capital bill, we will have a much better idea of where the Town’s request of $20 million stands.
Adam:
I can only assume this is somehow a response to the question I raised on your earlier post. It may be “old news” to those on the inside, but I’m not sure the same can be said for Joe Q. Taxpayer. Obviously WJBC thought it important enough to carry it the other day.
This project is an interesting one. I don’t understand nearly all the variables at play. I do find it interesting, though, that throughout the spring we were told over and over it was a $24 million dollar project (even though Trades and Labor said it was more like $41) … and then we hear, ironically after the April elections, it’s a $36 million project or so. And it seems we’ve been having a hard time getting funding for this for quite some time since, as you remind us, it’s old news.
Didn’t BNPTS just get some money for a new garage? And how many cabs do we really have in this town? I’m curious why we didn’t just try to secure a larger Amtrak station, which is desperately needed. Makes one wonder if this “multi-modal center” approach isn’t just a way to make it look better to those we are trying to get funding from, when in reality it’s also a way to expand city hall, add offices, and have a new council chambers using, what we hope will be (though it’s not looking promising) federal tax dollars?