Governor Quinn Announces $3.9 Million for Construction Project in Boone County

BELVIDERE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $3.9 million for a construction project in Boone County. The investment, funded by the Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

Today's announcement follows last week's news that the Illinois unemployment rate hit a six-year low in August when it fell to 6.7 percent. This is the lowest rate since August 2008 and a continuation of an uninterrupted drop in the state jobless rate that began in late 2013. The number of people employed in Illinois remains above six million, continuing a 2014 trend that has seen more people working in this state than at any time since early 2009.

"More people are working in Illinois, and these infrastructure projects keep them working while making travel safer and easier for the public," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois is well along the road to recovery, and work on this road in Boone County will help maintain infrastructure that keeps our economy moving."

The project will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Illinois Route 76 will receive 14.53 miles of milling and resurfacing from the Wisconsin State Line to U.S. Business 20 north of Belvidere for $3,937,233 by William Charles Construction Company, LLC of Loves Park, the lower of two bidders.

The project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.