Illinois High Court Upholds Capital Plan

CHICAGO — The Illinois Supreme Court Monday upheld the legality of the state’s $31 billion capital program and the funding sources established to repay billions in borrowing.

The state high court’s ruling reverses an appellate court decision earlier this year that had overturned the series of 2009 laws that made up the public works program, finding they violated the state constitution’s single-subject clause.

The lawsuit challenging the legislation was filed by a prominent local liquor distributor.

The ruling means state lawmakers won’t have to rewrite the legislation. It clears the state’s path to borrowing an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion to support capital projects this year depending on cash-flow needs. 

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