Published: March 21, 2008 12:43 pm            

Durbin defends earmarked funds for state, local projects

EFFINGHAM — Sen. Dick Durbin defended the use of earmarked federal funds for state and local projects during a meeting with Effingham Mayor John Lange Thursday.

“It’s a valid exercise of congressional authority,” he said, adding earmarks are a way to make sure federal tax dollars paid by Illinoisans are used to benefit Illinois.

“A pretty common complaint is that people send money to Washington, and it never comes back to their state,” Durbin said. “But I really try to focus on bringing money to downstate Illinois.”

Durbin said the elimination of earmarks would likely translate into higher local property taxes.

Effingham city officials have several slated projects for which they hope federal funding is available, including:

• Lift station replacement at the wastewater treatment plant.

• Channel dam replacement for the water treatment plant on the Little Wabash River.

• Realignment of the intersection at the intersection of St. Anthony Avenue, Keller Drive and Rollin Hills Drive.

• A public safety center to house Effingham city police and emergency telecommunicators.

• Squad cars for city police.

Lange told Durbin the Little Wabash River dam is at least 80 years old and needs replacement. The mayor added a break in the dam could cause water supply problems for city residents and flooding problems for those downstream.

Bill Grimes can be contacted at 347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com