Chicago City Wire

A Democrat's demand for the federal government to bring a better infrastructure plan to the table did not go over well with two Republican lawmakers.

Reps. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) and Tim Butler (R-Springfield) expressed their concern over HR886, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), which asks Congress to oppose President Donald Trump's infrastructure plan.

“That plan would place the burden of over 85 percent to redo our infrastructure back on the states,” Evans said at the May 17 House floor debate.

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield)

The inequitable plan is not acceptable to Evans, who said Illinois is strategically placed in the heart of the Midwest and should have more funding proposed.

Evans resolution is a “really, really bad idea,” McSweeney said.

McSweeney, present at one of the White House meetings about the plan, said three Democratic governors agreed to the plan.

“Why in God’s name would we reject a bipartisan infrastructure plan when we need to rebuild our infrastructure in the state of Illinois?” McSweeney said.

After McSweeney asked for a roll call on the vote, Butler agreed HR886 was a bad idea.

“I don’t think there has been a whole lot of proposals that have come out of Washington yet when it comes to the new infrastructure,” Butler said.

The 80/20 split is at least something, Butler added. But apparently not enough to Evans.

“I believe it is our job as regular old citizens, and specifically as state elected officials, to communicate to the federal government that this plan is not going to work,” Evans said.

Butler said if you want to communicate to the federal government, do just that; don’t pass a resolution. He said he has reached out to Illinois U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis, Cheri Bustos, Dan Lipiniski and Mike Bost, all of whom are on the House Transportation Committee. Why hasn’t Evans, Butler asked.

“Before the Illinois House of Representatives goes on record opposing a national infrastructure plan, have we talked to them at all about what the prospects are?” Butler said.

Evans said resolutions and bills are ways in which Illinois communicates with the federal government and is requesting Butler join him.  

“I have communicated; I have talked to my congressmen,” Butler said.

Evans said he is not sure Butler has, so the resolution is a way to ensure the White House hears. Rebutting, Butler said Evans has had the opportunity to work on the bipartisan plan and that patience is a virtue.

“I think it is a bad idea for us to go on record opposing what we don’t know is going to come out of Washington yet,” Butler said.

Despite Butler’s heed, HR886 passed 55-44.