Pritzker administration invests $94M in Illinois public airports

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that $94 million has been awarded to improve public airports throughout the state.

As part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, the funding unlocks $11.5 million in local contributions for a total investment of $105 million. The funding is the largest statewide capital investment program for airports in the state’s history.

“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,” Pritzker said. “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 funding will address 96 projects that will meet the needs of large and small airports in both urban and rural communities. Projects include planning, construction, reconstruction, development, and improvement of the public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Projects will also increase access to aviation, provide good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Among the projects receiving funding are $5.6 million for the Quad Cities International Airport for entrance road realignment and expansion of aircraft parking; $1.4 million to the Taylorville Municipal Airport for runway rehabilitation, and $175,000 for Schaumburg Regional Airport for fuel systems installation and security gate modifications.

“I’m proud to join Gov. Pritzker in ensuring our public airports have the resources they need to thrive,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said. “Illinois is the transportation hub of North America, with aviation is a crucial part of the multimodal system that makes it hum. By moving cargo, transporting passengers, providing critical general aviation services, and generating economic growth, aviation is what makes Illinois.”