Illinois Valley Times

The Illinois House has passed a resolution rejecting President Donald Trump’s proposed infrastructure plan, with Rep. Jerry Lee Long (R-Streator) among 13 GOP members abstaining from voting on the issue.

Sponsored by Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), the final count passed by a vote of 55-44, with Long being joined in abstaining by Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), Sheri Jesiel (R-Winthrop Harbor), David Reis (R-Willow Hill), Dave Severin (R-Benton), Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee), David S. Olsen (R-Downers Grove), Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), Tony McCombie (R-Savana), John Cavaletto (R-Salem), Michael D. Unes (R-East Peoria) and Christine Winger (R-Wood Dale).

Some have noted Long and his abstaining GOP colleagues votes could have made all the difference in how the vote turned out. 

Reps. Monica Bristow (D-Godfrey), Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), Jerry Costello Jr (D-Smithton), Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) and Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) were the only Democrats to vote against the measure. Each represents downstate districts where Trump remains immensely popular.  

Several media outlets have reported Trump’s sweeping infrastructure plan calls for $200 billion in federal spending, with the added goal of attracting an additional $1.5 trillion investment from private and local investors.