Illinois public works legislation would provide millions for school construction

From The Chicago Tribune: Illinois lawmakers have fast-tracked a $29 billion public works program that would start to rebuild the state's infrastructure and pay for it with a slew of increased taxes and by legalizing video gambling. A new spirit of cooperation that's bloomed since the January ouster of indicted ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was a key factor cited as state senators approved the bills by wide margins, predicting the House would soon sign off on the first statewide construction program for transportation and schools in a decade. The plan also would finally pay $148 million in school construction money owed for years to two dozen school districts throughout Illinois, including $29.7 million for Chicago schools.