Fiscal Focus

              Illinois’ transportation system, like all
modern systems, is comprised of an intri-cate
network of highways, air, and rail
transportation and mass transit. An ade-quate
intermodal transportation system is
vital for a strong economy. It is essential
for the distribution of goods and services,
for getting people to work and other places
where they participate in the economy,
and for retaining and attracting businesses.
Providing and maintaining such an inter-modal
transportation system is one of the
primary functions of state government
which is handled in Illinois by the Depart-ment
of Transportation. With about
140,000 miles of state and local roads
including more than 26,400 bridges, main-taining
the state infrastructure is a chal-lenge.
The department is directly responsi-ble
for approximately 17,000 miles of
highway, including nearly 8,000 bridges
and more than 2,100 miles of Interstate
highways. This gives Illinois the third
largest interstate highway system in the
country. According to the department, of
the state’s resources allocated to trans-portation,
more than 80% is directed to
maintaining and improving the Illinois
highway system.
In addition to the highway system, the
department allocates other state and feder-al
resources to local governments and
regional transportation agencies. The
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA),
covering northeastern Illinois, is one of the
largest public transportation systems in the
country providing over 578.8 million rides
in fiscal year 2006 (see page 15). Illinois’
public transportation also includes the
three transit authorities in the Metro-East
St. Louis area. The remaining 41 public
transportation systems include 11 other
metropolitan areas and 30 rural areas. Illi-nois
has 83 public airports including
O’Hare International which remains one
of the world’s busiest airports. With a
combined route mileage of approximately
7,900 miles of railroad, the state has the
second largest rail transportation system in
the country. The railroads are an impor-tant
method of transporting coal and grain
in the state.
Maintaining Illinois’ Highway System
Besides having one of the largest highway
systems, three of the five transcontinental
highways (I-70, I-80, and I-90) pass
through the state. Such a system is a major
asset but the sheer size of the highway net-work
means that a substantial amount of
resources are consumed in maintenance
and repair. As stated earlier, 80% of the
state resources allocated for transportation
is directed to the highway program, of
which little is dedicated to new highways.
Road construction is generally for repair-ing
or replacing existing highways and
Cover Story ..........................front, 5, 8-10
Letter From The Comptroller................... 2
Is There Equity in the Distribution
of Federal Highway Aid?............. 2, 4, 11
Variations in State Booster Seat Laws ..... 3
State Financial Support
for the Road Program .......................... 6, 7
Federal Financial
Support for Highways............................ 7
An Overview of
Illinois First .............................................10
Illinois State Highway System Map.........11
Specialty License
Plate Revenues................................12, 14
Rising Gas Prices-
Causes and Effects ....................... 13, 14
A Look at the Regional
Transportation Authority .............. 15, 16
September 2006 Tables ....................... 17
October 2006 Tables ............................ 18
November 2006 Tables ........................ 19
Did You Know .........................Back Cover
In This Issue:
• DECEMBER 2006 ISSUE •
Illinois’ Diverse
Transportation System
A Publication of the Illinois State Comptroller
Fiscal Focus
Cover Story continued, page 5