Durbin Announces $38.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Defense Facilities in Illinois
Funding will support construction projects, quality of life improvements and energy efficient projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois Department of Defense (DoD) facilities will receive a total of $38,542,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for construction projects and repairs, quality of life improvements and energy efficiency projects. Today’s funding is expected to immediately generate additional employment in communities around the defense facilities.
“The Recovery Act will put people to work in Illinois making much needed repairs to the buildings that support and house our troops,” said Durbin. “This funding will also improve the long-term sustainability of our defense infrastructure through a significant investment in energy efficient technologies.”
The following funding was announced today:
• $19,944,000 in funding to the Rock Island Arsenal for various operation and maintenance projects including repairs to the Moline Bridge and the modernization of the Navy Operational Support Center Facility.
• $6,270,000 in funding to the Naval Station Great Lakes for modernization of living quarters.
• $8,460,000 in funding to Scott Air Force Base for operations and maintenance projects including repairs to the Communications Building.
• $3,868,000 in funding to the Army National Guard for operation and maintenance projects at nine Illinois National Guard readiness centers, armories, and other facilities, including:
? Chicago (Northwest RC): $225,000
? Crestwood Armory: $50,000
? Decatur Readiness Center: $80,000
? Elgin Armory: $625,000
? Litchfield Armory: $1,354,000
? Peoria Army National Guard: $280,000
? Springfield (TS Cp Lincoln): $280,000
? Sullivan Readiness Center: $415,000
? West Frankfort Readiness Center: $809,000
Nationally, the Recovery Act provides $7.4 billion to the DoD largely for projects that are located at Defense installations spread across all fifty states, District of Columbia and two U.S. territories. According to the DoD, specific investment in military construction will further President Obama’s goal of providing stimulus to the economy while helping to improve the quality of life for our troops and their families.