Prairie State Wire

Jeanne Ives, former legislator and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, said Governor J.B. Pritzker urged President Trump to fulfill his obligations while simultaneously seeking billions in COVID relief and becoming the only state to borrow from a federal special fund.

"Pritzker implores the Trump admin to meet its obligations and release federal funds for roads when he begged Trump's admin for $42 billion during COVID and was the only state to borrow from a Federal special fund," said Jeanne M Ives. "It's Illinois under Democrat leadership that has failed to meet obligations."

In a post on X, Governor Pritzker announced the release of federal funding for Illinois to complete the Brandon Road Project. He expressed satisfaction that "the Trump administration heard our calls about the importance of delivering federal funds." In response, Ives commented on the post.

Screenshot of Jeanne Ives' May 11 post on X | X

According to Pritzker’s post on X, which included a link to a Chicago Tribune article, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project faced delays due to concerns over federal funding. Although $340 million was allocated for its first phase, Illinois sought assurance for subsequent phases. The project aims to prevent invasive carp from spreading through Illinois waterways, protecting native species in the Great Lakes region and safeguarding billion-dollar fishing and boating industries.

A May 9 presidential memorandum addressed the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. Authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, it is designed to use technological deterrents against carp reaching the lakes. The memo said that $274 million has been allocated by the federal government for this purpose, with design work and site preparation already underway. However, it noted that construction is ready but delayed due to Pritzker not acquiring necessary property or issuing a state-level permit to the Army Corps for construction. The memorandum directed Illinois to secure required land by July 1.

Jeanne Ives previously served six years as an Illinois State Representative for House District 42. She ran for governor in 2018 and sought election for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District in 2020.